Zika Virus Confirmed In Three Pregnant Florida Women
By Abe Aboraya // February 26, 2016
virus contracted while traveling outside the country in all cases
EDITOR’S NOTE: To date, 32 cases of the Zika virus have been reported in Floridians, including three pregnant women. In all of the cases, the virus was contracted while traveling outside the country.
Central Florida, including Brevard, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties have reported 5 total cases.
The Florida Health News report below updates the Zika situation in Florida and Governor Rick Scott’s collaboration with the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to identify and manage the disease.
–Dr. Jim Palermo, Editor-in-Chief
Three pregnant Florida women have contracted the Zika virus, according to the Florida Department of Health. Researchers are studying possible links between Zika in pregnant women and birth defects in babies.
The Florida Department of Health won’t say where in Florida the cases were confirmed, but all were contracted while traveling outside the U.S.
“We have, however, identified three pregnant women who traveled to countries affected by Zika and likely had Zika virus in those countries and returned without any symptoms,” Florida Surgeon General Dr. John Armstrong told a congressional subcommittee on Zika.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott has asked the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for 250 additional Zika tests.
CLICK HERE to read the complete story on Health News Florida.
