Free Zika Virus Testing Offered in Pinellas County

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — Pregnant women in Pinellas County concerned about the impacts Zika virus may have on their unborn children have three places to turn for free testing.

The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County announced on Thursday it has begun offering free testing of pregnant women. The decision to provide tests at no cost follows a request from Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday.

No-cost Zika virus testing is now available on a walk-in basis between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays at county health department locations. Testing is offered at these three sites:

• Clearwater Health Department, 310 N. Myrtle Ave., Clearwater 727-469-5800
• Mid-County Health Department: 8751 Ulmerton Road, Largo 727-507-4330
• St. Petersburg Health Department: 205 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N., St. Petersburg 727-824-6900

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.

See also:

• U.S. Mosquitoes Transmit Zika Virus for First Time
• Florida Promises ‘Aggressive Mosquito Control Efforts’
• Zika Virus in Florida: March of Dimes Offers Advice, Warnings for Pregnant Women
• Congress Vacations While Zika Virus Spreads Locally in U.S.
• Florida Zika Virus Update: Non-Travel-Related Case Under Investigation
• 1st Baby Born With Zika Virus-Related Defect Born In Florida
• CDC Records First Female-to-Male Zika Virus Transmission

Four people in Miami-Dade and Broward counties became the first in the nation to test positive for locally acquired Zika virus late last week. Shortly thereafter, another 11 locally acquired cases were confirmed, bringing the state’s total to 15. In all 15 cases, the exposure has been blamed on mosquitoes in the Miami area.

As of Wednesday, the state also had 336 confirmed travel-related cases of Zika virus, meaning patients were exposed to the illness while traveling outside of the country. Fifty-five pregnant women in the state have also tested positive for the virus, bringing the state's total of cases to 406.

To help Florida 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 2,887 calls since it was launched Feb. 12, the state reported.

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