Zika Virus Spreads to Miami Beach, Prompting Warnings

As the fear of Zika virus infections continues to plague Florida, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on August 19 that "pregnant women should not travel to an area of Miami Beach where local Zika virus transmission has been confirmed."

This is the second area in Miami that has been identified as being "at risk" for active transmission of the virus. The Florida Department of Health announced that five locally transmitted cases have been confirmed as connected to the Miami Beach area.

The CDC further advised that the sexual partners of pregnant women refrain from visiting the area. Pregnant women are at the highest risk due to identification of birth defects in babies born to mothers who have contracted the illness. As Dr. Tom Frieden, CDC director, states, "The risk is low, but the outcome is so horrific, you really want to try to avoid it."

Florida Governor Rick Scott noted, "There are 36 locally transmitted cases of the virus and 20.6 million people living in the state," requesting that the public put this issue in perspective. 

The CDC is aiding Florida with test and prevention kits to assist with transmission identification and prevention.
 

Phenelle Segal
Aug 22, 2016

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Florida DOH Confirms State's First Zika-Related Case of Microcephaly

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) confirmed the first Zika virus-related case of microcephaly in a child born in Florida.

Microcephaly is a birth defect where a baby's head is smaller than expected when compared to babies of the same sex and age. Babies with microcephaly often have smaller brains that might not have developed properly. This could contribute to a wide range of problems, including developmental delay, intellectual disability, problems with movement and balance, hearing loss and vision problems.

The mother of the child with microcephaly isa citizen of Haiti who had a travel-related case of Zika. She came to Florida to deliver her baby.

Florida Governor Rick Scott has taken the Zika threat very seriously. In February, he directed the state surgeon general to issue a declaration of public health emergency for the counties of residents with travel-associated cases of Zika and activate a Zika virus information hotline for current Florida residents and visitors, as well as anyone planning on traveling to Florida in the near future.

Just last week, Scott announced he would use his emergency executive authority to allocate more than $26 million in state funds for Zika preparedness, prevention and response in Florida.

Florida has been monitoring pregnant women with evidence of Zika regardless of symptoms since January. The total number of pregnant women who have been monitored is 40, with 10 having met the previous Centers for Disease Control and Prevention case definition.
 

Phenelle Segal
Jun 28, 2016

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Florida Gov. Scott Declares Zika Virus Emergency in Multiple Counties

Florida Gov. Rick Scott has declared a public health emergency in five Florida counties due to the Zika virus.

The counties, as of February 5, are as follows:

• Broward
• Miami-Dade
• Hillsborough
• Lee
• Santa Rosa

To date, Florida has confirmed nine travel-related cases of the Zika virus, none of which have been pregnant women.

Zika is spread to people through mosquito bites. This is the same mosquito — from the Aedes genus, mainly Aedes aegypti in tropical regions — that transmits dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever. Aedes mosquitos are common in Florida.

The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis. They usually last 2-7 days. Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon. However, an outbreak in South America has led to reports of Guillain-Barre syndrome and pregnant women giving birth to babies with birth defects and poor pregnancy outcomes.

Gov. Scott has requested that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide at least 1,000 Zika antibody tests (Florida currently has the capacity to test only 475 people.) The antibody test allows the state to see if individuals ever had the Zika virus. Gov. Scott has also requested that the CDC conduct a conference call to help train Florida hospital workers — especially OB/GYN physicians and those who work with pregnant women — on how Zika is spread, its symptoms, treatments and proper precautions.

No vaccine exists to prevent Zika. The best method of prevention is to avoid mosquito bites. Help reduce the number of mosquitoes inside and outside your home or hotel room by emptying standing water from containers such as flowerpots or buckets.

Healthcare providers are encouraged to report suspected Zika cases to their state health department to facilitate diagnosis and mitigate risk of local transmission.

Phenelle Segal of Florida-based Infection Control Consulting Services provides infection control and infection prevention education and services to a variety of healthcare facilities and organizations including, but not limited, to hospitals and health systems, ambulatory surgery centers, physicians practices, dentists and nursing homes. Services include accreditation survey preparation, infection prevention risk assessment, development of infection prevention programs, infection prevention training and much more. Contact Phenelle Segal by clicking here.
 

Phenelle Segal
Feb 5, 2016

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