Florida Zika Virus Cases Near 90

TALLAHASSEE, FL — On the heels of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s announcement that the Zika virus does cause microcephaly, the state of Florida has confirmed its 88th case.

The latest confirmed case comes from Miami-Dade County, which is the area most heavily hit in Florida to date. That county has had 36 confirmed cases. In the Tampa Bay area, Hillsborough and Polk counties both have had three confirmed cases so far.

All of the state’s confirmed cases are travel related, the Florida Department of Health stressed on Friday. So far, five pregnant women have been confirmed to have the virus, making up part of the state’s 88-case total.

As of Friday, the state said only six of the confirmed patients are still exhibiting symptoms. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates Zika virus symptoms last between seven and 10 days. The CDC confirmed Wednesday that the 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.

See Also:

• Zika Virus Causes Severe Brain Defects, CDC Confirms
• Zika Virus Confirmed In 3 Pregnant Floridians
• Zika Virus Information Floridians Need To Know

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.

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.

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

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 hotline has fielded more than 1,414 calls since it was launched Feb. 12, the state reported.

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