New Tampa Bay Area Zika Virus Case Confirmed

TALLAHASSEE, FL — The total number of confirmed Zika virus cases in the state of Florida climbed to 79 Friday. That number includes a new travel-related case out of Polk County and the confirmation of a case involving a pregnant woman.

The Florida Department of Health has confirmed cases involving residents from 14 different counties, plus five cases involving pregnant women. All cases are travel-related, the state reported. That means the virus was contracted by residents who were traveling in other countries.

As of Friday, the state said only four 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.

In the Tampa Bay area, Hillsborough County has seen three confirmed cases and Polk County three. No other nearby counties have had confirmed reports of the virus as of yet. Miami-Dade County continues to lead the state in the number of cases with 32.

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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. 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 1,249 calls since it was launched Feb. 12, the state reported.

Image courtesy of the U.S. Centers For Disease Control and Prevention