Four Zika cases in Florida spread by local mosquitoes
Health officials in the state of Florida say four people are likely to have been infected with Zika, in what is seen as the first documented instance that the mosquito-borne virus is locally transmitted in the continental US.
The announcement was made on Friday after the officials investigated four cases of the Zika virus in southern Florida that were believed not to be linked to sexual contact or travel to affected areas outside the US.
"The Florida Department of Health has gathered enough information as part of its ongoing investigation into non-travel related cases of Zika in Miami-Dade and Broward counties to conclude that a high likelihood exists that four cases are the result of local transmission," the US health officials said in a statement.
"At this time, the department believes that active transmission of the Zika virus is occurring in one small area in Miami-Dade County, just north of downtown," they added.
The cases involved a woman, and three other men, according to Florida Governor Rick Scott.
"They are all active Zika cases, and have not exhibited symptoms to be admitted to the hospital," he said.
"While no mosquito traps have tested positive for the Zika virus, the Department of Health is aggressively testing people in the affected area to ensure there are no other cases of this virus," Scott added.
Florida has already seen almost 400 cases of Zika, all involving people who were infected while traveling to parts of the world where the virus is circulating.
The virus has been reported in more than 30 countries and is linked with a surge in cases of microcephaly, an untreatable condition in which babies are born with abnormally small head and undeveloped brain.
Florida is, therefore, particularly focused on pregnant women who have been advised not to travel to areas where the virus is present.
The World Health Organization has warned that the virus is "spreading explosively" in South America and could infect millions of people.
Although the symptoms of the virus are relatively mild and only 1 in 5 persons exposed to it become ill, those who are experiencing fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (pink eye) have been strongly advised to seek immediate medical care.
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