Zika Spreads in Florida With New Case in St. Petersburg Area

Five new cases of Zika have been reported in Florida, including one in the St. Petersburg area.

At least one person has contracted the disease in Pinellas County, Gov. Rick Scott said Tuesday according to NBC News. Outbreaks have previously been found in Miami Beach and Wynwood, where four more people were reported infected on Tuesday. So far, 42 people have been found to be infected with Zika in Florida, all of them seemingly contracting the virus through non-travel-related incidents. These cases indicate that local mosquitos are now carrying the disease in the region; Zika can also be sexually transmitted.

Gov. Scott said, “In Pinellas County, the Department of Health and Pinellas County Mosquito Control are already working together and have begun aggressive spraying and mosquito abatement efforts.” He added that pregnant women can contact local officials for free Zika testing and prevention kits.

[NBC News]