DOH: Four cases of Zika virus likely mosquito-borne

The Florida Department of Health has concluded that four cases of the Zika virus are likely mosquito-borne.

“We learned today that four people in our state likely have the Zika virus as a result of a mosquito bite," said  Florida Gov. Rick Scott.

The four cases are in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. The cases involve one woman and three men.

The DOH said it believes that active transmissions of the Zika virus are occurring in one small area in Miami-Dade County, just north of downtown. Officials said the exact location is within the boundaries of the following area: NW 5th Avenue to the west, US 1 to the east, NW/NE 38th Street to the north and NW/NE 20th Street to the south.

However, no mosquitoes have tested positive for the Zika virus, said Scott.

"While no mosquitoes have tested positive for the Zika virus, DOH is aggressively testing people in this area to ensure there are no other cases," Scott said. "If you live in this area and want to be tested, I urge you to contact the county health department which stands ready to assist you."

Scott directed DOH to activate the Joint Information Center within the State Emergency Operations Center to ensure impacted areas have coordinated access to information and resources.

The DOH has also been directed to contract with commercial pest control companies to enhance and expand mosquito mitigation and abatement, including increased spraying, in the impacted areas.

"Following today's news, I directed the Department of Health to immediately begin contracting with commercial pest control companies to increase spraying and mosquito abatement efforts in the impacted area.  We know from our experience with successfully dealing with other mosquito-borne viruses in our state that through constant surveillance and immediate action that we will protect our families and visitors," Scott said. "We will continue this same approach as we work to combat the Zika virus in our state.  Florida is an outdoors state with pristine beaches, award-winning state parks and world class fishing.  We continue to welcome record visitors to Florida and will remind everyone in our state to take proper precautions and wear insect repellent."

“We are dedicated to protecting Floridians and visitors from Zika and will continue to support mosquito control programs throughout Florida with their surveillance and control efforts," said Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Adam H. Putnam. "Floridians can do their part by draining standing water surrounding their homes, as it can serve as breeding grounds for the mosquitoes that are capable of transmitting the virus.”

Scott directed DOH to do the following response activities:

• Provide $620,000 to OneBlood, the primary blood bank in the area, to establish appropriate blood screening.
• Work with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to issue a Mosquito Declaration and ensure that mosquito control crews in the areas of concern have the resources they need to combat further local transmission.
• Continue investigations in concert with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure we learn all we can about Zika as an emerging disease.
• Coordinate with OB/GYNs and organizations that serve pregnant women in the impacted area to distribute Zika prevention kits to pregnant women.
• Ongoing door-to-door outreach in the areas of concern with continued mosquito mitigation activities and repellent distribution.
• Partner with VISIT FLORIDA to distribute educational items, repellent and Zika Prevention Kits for pregnant women to visitor centers in the impacted areas.
• Partner with the Florida Department of Education to ensure that mosquito breeding source reduction and mitigation activities have occurred at all schools in Miami-Dade and Broward counties ahead of children returning to classes this fall.

Anyone who has questions about the Zika virus can call the hotline at 855-622-6735.

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