More Miami Cases Added to Florida’s Zika Tally

Two more cases of homegrown Zika were added to the Florida’s tally of the number of people infected with the disease, state officials say.

In addition, there were five new cases of travel-related Zika confirmed, including one each in Miami-Dade, Indian River, and Palm Beach counties. Two cases of pregnant women infected were also confirmed.

Officials say the homegrown Zika was contracted in Miami-Dade County and they are investigating further to learn exactly where the infections occurred.

There was also one case involving an out-of-state resident, and officials are also working to find out where that person contracted the virus.

This brings the total number of confirmed cases contracted in Florida to 1,128, a tally that includes 190 people infected by local mosquitos, as well as 779 travel-related infections, officials say.

To date, 133 pregnant women have been identified with the virus.

Zika increases the risk of a particularly devastating birth defect known as microcephaly, in which babies are born with severe brain damage, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says.

The only places in the U.S. where the infection is currently being spread by local mosquitos is a 4.5-square-mile zone in Miami Beach and a one-acre parcel in the Little River neighborhood in Miami, the CDC says. .

The CDC has recommended that pregnant women steer clear of these zones, and that they also exercise caution and avoid unessential travel in Miami-Dade County.

The Zika virus can make anyone sick for up to a week with the following flu-like symptoms:

• Fever.
• Rash.
• Joint pain.
• Red eyes.

There is no vaccine or treatment for the virus, making prevention essential. Health experts recommend taking the following precautions:

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants outdoors.
• Eliminate standing water where mosquitoes breed.
• Use repellents to keep mosquitoes away.
• Use air conditioning and window screens if possible.
• Call your health care provider if you are at risk of infection.

Last month, Consumer Reports released new rankings of mosquito repellents that offer the best protection against Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes, the type that carry the Zika virus. They tested products containing deet, 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.

The magazine also recommended skipping products made with natural plant oils, such as California Baby Natural Bug Blend (a blend of citronella, lemongrass oil, cedar oil, and other ingredients) and EcoSmart Organic, (which includes geraniol, rosemary oil, cinnamon oil, and lemongrass oil).

Women who are pregnant or breast feeding can safely use deet, picaridin, lemon eucalyptus, and IR3535, according to the EPA.

Other tips for using insect repellents safely and effectively:

1. Apply repellents sparingly, and only to exposed skin or clothing.
2. Don’t apply repellents over cuts, wounds, irritated skin, or after shaving.
3. When applying to your face, spray first on your hands, then rub in, avoiding your eyes and mouth.
4. Don’t let young children apply repellents themselves
5. Don’t use near food, and wash hands after application and before eating.
6. At the end of the day, wash treated skin with soap and water, and wash treated clothing in a separate wash before wearing again.

The CDC advises people returning from travel to areas where Zika is present should continue to wear mosquito repellant for three weeks and refer to the agency’s published guidelines regarding sexual transmission of the virus.