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Zika virus hotline available for Florida residents

Florida Gov. Rick Scott directed State Surgeon General Dr. John Armstrong to activate a Zika Virus Information Hotline on Friday.
The hotline will be for Florida residents and visitors, as well as anyone planning on traveling to Florida in the near future.
The hotline will be managed by the Florida Department of Health, and will answer questions on the Zika virus and the state’s preparedness efforts, said Scott. 

“We want to make sure Florida residents and visitors have access to an open line of communication so they can receive the latest updates on the Zika virus in our state," Scott said. "The Zika Virus Information Hotline will answer questions and advise callers on what steps they can take to protect their homes and families from Zika. With over 20 million residents and 100 million tourists, we have made it a priority to stay ahead of the possible spread of this virus in Florida, and we will continue to do all we can to keep our families safe.”

Florida has twenty confirmed Zika cases as of Friday. The cases are reported in Hillsborough (3 cases), Miami-Dade (7 cases), Lee (3 cases), Santa Rosa (1 case), Broward (3 case), St. Johns (1 case), Osceola (1 case), and Alachua (1 case) counties.

The cases reported in Florida are travel-related and none involve pregnant women.

The Florida Department of Health is also issuing a daily update regarding the status of the Zika virus in Florida.

The number for the Zika Virus Information Hotline is 855-622-6735.

Cox Media Group

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