Four cases of Zika infection in Miami are highly likely to have been caused by infected mosquitoes, the state Department of Health said Friday — the first documented instance of local transmission in the continental United States.
Officials believe that the area of active transmission is limited to a one-square mile area just north of downtown Miami. No mosquitoes tested have been found to be carrying the Zika virus, and the department is going door to door in the neighborhood collecting urine samples to test residents.
Miami-Dade County is one of the biggest ports of entry into the United States from countries where the Zika virus is circulating, and experts have long described it as one of the areas most at risk for the spread of the disease.
Governor Rick Scott said in a statement that the four cases involve three men and one woman. The statement did not indicate if the woman was pregnant.
“While no mosquitoes have tested positive for the Zika virus,” Mr. Scott said, the health department “is aggressively testing people in this area to ensure there are no other cases. If you live in this area and want to be tested, I urge you to contact the county health department.”
Governor Rick Scott said in a statement that the four cases involve three men and one woman. The statement did not indicate if the woman was pregnant.
“While no mosquitoes have tested positive for the Zika virus,” Mr. Scott said, the health department “is aggressively testing people in this area to ensure there are no other cases. If you live in this area and want to be tested, I urge you to contact the county health department.
Sources : NYT, CBS Miami
Sources : NYT, CBS Miami
