United States: Florida confirms local Zika transmission Oct. 12

Event

Florida Department of Health officials announced the first locally transmitted case of the Zika virus in 2017 on Thursday, October 12. The single locally transmitted case was reported in Manatee county. No further active transmission has been reported, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not defined the area as an active Zika transmission zone. Local authorities have begun mosquito reduction efforts in the area as a precaution.

Context

So far in 2017, Florida has confirmed 187 Zika virus cases: 154 such cases were contracted abroad, while 32 cases are from an unknown source.

While the Zika virus is usually relatively benign, links between the Zika virus and severe birth defects as well as the potentially fatal neurological disorder Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), have been established. Symptoms - which can appear two to seven days following contraction of the disease but are only observed in approximately 20 percent of cases - include fever, headache (behind the eyes), conjunctivitis, rash, vomiting, and muscle and joint pain. The disease is also transmittable via sexual intercourse.

Advice

Individuals present in Florida - in particular pregnant women and their partners - are advised to take measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites as a precaution.