Zika Watch: 3 More ‘Homegrown’ Cases in Florida
Florida health officials are investigating three more suspected non-travel-related Zika cases in Miami — bringing the total number of locally transmitted “homegrown” cases to 33.
“There are three new non-travel related cases today in Miami-Dade County,” state officials said in a statement, noting the one-square-mile Wynwood area of Miami is the epicenter of the nation’s Zika epidemic.
“One of the individuals was exposed in the less than one-square mile in Miami-Dade County [where other cases have occurred]. The other two new non-travel related infection is located outside of the one-square mile area in Miami-Dade County.”
In addition to the 33 “homegrown” Zika infections in Florida, another 461 travel-related Zika infections have been documented in the state and 63 have involved pregnant women, according to the new report.
The Florida Health Department said it has conducted testing for the Zika virus for more than 3,536 people statewide. All county health departments are now offering free Zika risk assessment and testing to any pregnant woman who would like to be tested.
There is no vaccine or treatment for Zika, which can cause birth defects and possibly neurological problems, so experts say prevention is essential:
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants outdoors.
- Eliminate standing water where bugs breed.
- Use repellents to keep mosquitoes away.
- Use AC and window screens if possible.
Consumer Reports recently released new rankings of mosquito repellents that offer the best protection against Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes, the type that carry the Zika virus.
The magazine’s editors tested products containing DEET, and plantlike ingredients lemon eucalyptus and picaridin. The most effective products:
• Sawyer Fisherman’s Formula Picaridin.
• Natrapel 8 Hour, with 20 percent picaridin.
• Off! Deepwoods VIII, w/25 percent deet.
• Repel Lemon Eucalyptus.
Women who are pregnant or breast feeding can safely use DEET, picaridin, lemon eucalyptus, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Tips:
- Apply repellents sparingly to exposed skin or clothing.
- Don’t apply over cuts, wounds.
- When applying to your face, spray first on your hands, then rub in, avoiding your eyes and mouth.
- Don’t let young children apply products themselves.
- Don’t use near food, and wash hands after application and before eating.