If confirmed, it would be first case of local spread of the virus in continental U.S.
WEDNESDAY, July 20, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Florida health officials are investigating what could be the first case of locally transmitted Zika virus infection in the continental United States.
In a statement released Tuesday, the Florida Department of Health said it was investigating “a possible non-travel related case of Zika virus in Miami-Dade County.”
“The department is actively conducting an epidemiological investigation, is collaborating with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and will share additional details as they become available,” the statement said.
As of July 13, roughly 1,300 Zika cases had been reported in the continental United States and Hawaii. But none had been caused by local mosquitoes, the CDC said. Most of the infected people had visited countries where Zika is endemic. The CDC advises pregnant women not to travel to an area where Zika transmission is ongoing, and to use insect repellent and wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts if they are in those areas. Partners of pregnant women are advised to use a condom to guard against sexual transmission during pregnancy.
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