Florida Zika Virus Cases Holding Steady

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Florida’s confirmed Zika virus cases are holding steady at 21.

The increase of one case from Friday’s 20 was reported by State Surgeon General Dr. John Armstrong on Monday. Tuesday’s daily virus update showed no change in the numbers. All of the state’s confirmed cases have been travel-related and no pregnant women have been impacted so far, Armstrong reported Tuesday.

The latest case was confirmed in Broward County, bringing the total number there up to four. Hillsborough County has three confirmed cases. No other Tampa Bay area counties have been impacted so far.

To help residents resolve questions about the virus and its spread, the state has set up a Zika Virus Information Hotline. That number is 1-855-622-6735. The state has also declared a public health emergency in all counties where the virus has been confirmed in residents. Those counties are Hillsborough, Alachua, Broward, Lee, Miami-Dade, Osceola, Santa Rosa and St. Johns.

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Hillsborough County Commissioners are expected to vote on a budget amendment to transfer $475,870 to the Public Works department’s operating budget for additional mosquito surveillance and spray missions throughout the county. That vote is anticipated to be held during Wednesday’s board meeting in Tampa.

Zika is a mosquito-borne illness that is characterized by a fever, rash and joint pain. According to the state, only about one out of five people infected with Zika are symptomatic. While the illness typically resolves within a week, some severe cases may require hospitalization.

It is especially dangerous for pregnant women. Several reports have linked Zika in mothers with microcephaly in infants. That condition, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says, is a potentially life-threatening birth defect where a baby’s head is smaller than expected.

Aside from mosquitoes, Zika can be spread through sexual contact in some cases, the CDC notes.

While Florida’s cases to date have originated through foreign travel, the state urges residents and visitors to protect themselves from mosquitoes.

“We encourage Florida residents and visitors to protect themselves from all mosquito-borne illnesses by draining standing water; covering their skin with repellent and clothing; covering windows with screens; and other basic precautions included in ‘drain and cover,’” Brad Dalton, Florida Department of Health deputy press secretary, told Patch.

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