After testing more than 42,400 mosquitoes in Florida, the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services confirmed Thursday it detected Zika in three mosquito samples taken from an area of Miami within the current zone of local transmission.
Following the confirmation, Florida Gov. Rick Scott called on the state Department of Health to "aggressively expand testing and outreach efforts" in the areas of local transmission — the Wynwood area of Miami and Miami Beach. Currently, outreach includes sending DOH employees going door to door to educate residents about Zika and how to protect themselves. They are also delivering bug spray and Zika prevention kits to pregnant women in the area. In light of Thursday's announcement, the DOH will take on new responsibilities, including:
- Work with international airports to provide bug repellant to certain travelers
- Intensify outreach efforts in Miami Beach and expand testing in the areas around where the Zika-positive mosquitoes were found
- Allow aerial spraying for mosquitoes in Miami Beach if the weather is favorable (it was previously determined aerial spraying would not be practical in Miami Beach because of high-rise buildings and strong winds)
- Work with commercial pest control companies to increase spraying and other mosquito abatement efforts
On a positive note, it has been nearly 30 days since the last case of Zika infection was found in the Wynwood area. "The Wynwood community has done an incredible job of working together to prevent the spread of this virus and serves as an example of how important it is to be proactive and dump standing water, especially as our state is preparing for Hurricane Hermine," Gov. Scott said. "We must all continue to stay vigilant in the fight against the Zika virus so we can keep Florida's communities, families and visitors safe."