Florida enlists commercial pest control firms in Zika fight

On Monday, the department sent in additional commercial pest control companies to assist with mosquito control efforts in Miami-Dade County.

Texas has recorded 108 cases tied to travel, though each of those were linked to Zika-affected area outside of the continental U.S. “The second new non-travel related infection is located outside of the one-square mile area in Miami-Dade County”. Instead, health officials investigate each case by interview, and taking blood and urine samples from close contacts and neighbors around each person infected. “Mosquitoes that spread Zika are aggressive daytime biters”.

“We still believe local transmissions are only occurring in an area that is less than one square mile in Wynwood”, Scott said in the statement.

There are now 30 cases of locally transmitted Zika in Florida.

Scott said state health officials have closed their investigations into the first cases in Miami-Dade and Broward counties that were announced July 29. They also bite at night. All county health departments are now offering free Zika risk assessment and testing to any pregnant woman who would like to be tested. What to Do About Zika?

“Today, the Florida Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed two additional individuals have the Zika virus in Miami-Dade County”, the release stated. “If the department finds evidence that active transmission is occurring in an area, we will notify the media and the public”.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages everyone living in areas with Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, especially pregnant women and women planning to become pregnant, to protect themselves from mosquito bites.

Scott said Miami-Dade County has requested funding for more staff and mosquito traps. Officials urge residents to drain any standing water and to wear mosquito repellant.