Zika: Florida Is Investigating Possible Local Infection

Florida is investigating a case of Zika virus that may have been transmitted locally, the state’s health department has announced.

The Florida Department of Health says it’s looking into a non-travel associated case of the virus in the Miami-Dade County region. The health department, which is collaborating with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), did not provide details about the person infected.

The agency says it will be distributing Zika prevention kits and repellant intended for pregnant women. A Zika infection is riskier for pregnant women because the virus can cause severe birth defects in fetuses and infants. (See what women need to know about the Zika virus). The department says it has been doing mosquito control and prevention in the area.

Elsewhere, in Utah, health officials are also investigating a unique Zika infection. A person who cared for a family contact who died with especially high amounts of Zika became infected, despite not traveling to an affected country. Currently, Zika is only known to be transmitted by mosquito bites or sex with an infected person.

The White House requested $1.9 billion in funding in February for Zika; the Senate failed to pass emergency Zika funding before going on a recess until September.