3 New Tampa Bay Zika Virus Cases Confirmed

TAMPA BAY, FL — The Florida Department of Health on Monday confirmed six new travel-related cases of Zika virus within the state and one new non-travel related case. Two of the new travel-related cases involve residents in Hillsborough County with another reported in Polk County.

Monday’s new non-travel related case that is now under investigation by the state involves a Palm Beach County resident. That case brings the total number of locally acquired Zika virus transmissions up to 17 in the state.

The new locally acquired case of Zika virus does not “mean active transmission of Zika virus is occurring in Palm Beach County,” the state stressed in its Monday Zika Virus Update. “The individual has recently traveled to Miami-Dade County and the department’s investigation is under way to try to determine the source of infection.” At this time, the state believes active transmission is only taking place in a one-square mile area of Miami.

Zika virus is a mosquito-borne illness that is characterized by a fever, rash and joint pain. While the illness typically resolves within a week, some severe cases may require hospitalization.

The CDC has confirmed that the Zika virus is responsible for causing severe defects in unborn children, including microcephaly, which leaves babies with abnormally small heads and often with brains that do not develop properly.

Until late July, the 1,400 or so cases identified in the U.S. had all been contracted while people were traveling out of the country or through sexual transmission. The CDC has confirmed a number of sexually transmitted Zika virus cases in the country. The 15th case, reported in New York earlier this month, was the first in which a woman transmitted the disease to a man. New York, like Florida, has also had a baby born with a Zika virus-related defect.

So far, the state has confirmed 357 travel-related Zika virus cases. There are also 55 cases involving pregnant women.

In the Tampa Bay area, all confirmed cases remain travel related, which means the virus was contracted while patients were traveling outside of the state. As of Monday, the number of confirmed cases in Bay area counties are as follows:

• Hillsborough County – 12
• Manatee County – 2
• Pasco County – 6
• Pinellas County – 7
• Polk County – 13

To date, no cases involving Sarasota County residents have been confirmed.

Aside from mosquitoes, Zika can be spread through sexual contact in some cases, the CDC notes. One of the confirmed cases in Polk County originated through sexual contact, the state of Florida reported. The patient in the case contracted the virus while traveling outside of the country.

The CDC recommends women who are pregnant or are considering becoming pregnant postpone travel to areas where there is widespread Zika infection.

To help residents resolve questions about the virus and its spread, the state has set up a Zika Virus Information Hotline at 1-855-622-6735. The hotline has fielded more than 3,442 calls since it was launched Feb. 12, the state reported.

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