MIAMI BEACH, FL (WFLA) — The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services says they have detected Zika in three mosquito samples from an area in Miami Beach.
The mosquitoes from Miami Beach that tested positive for Zika are from an area where increased trapping and intensified mosquito control measures are occurring, due to the investigation of local transmission led by the Florida Department of Health.RELATED: New non-travel related Zika cases reported in Miami Beach
Ninety-five additional samples have been submitted by Miami-Dade County after the date of the positive submission and those mosquitoes have tested negative for Zika.
“This find is disappointing, but not surprising. Florida is among the best in the nation when it comes to mosquito surveillance and control, and this detection enables us to continue to effectively target our resources. Miami-Dade County, the City of Miami Beach, and state and federal partners will continue to work aggressively to prevent the spread of Zika,” stated Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam.
The positive mosquito pools were collected in Miami Beach within the current zone that has been treated for local transmission.RELATED: Florida theme parks offer free mosquito repellent in fight against Zika
Florida’s proactive efforts include: eliminating larval habitats by emptying standing water, treating water-holding containers with long-lasting larvicide, providing outdoor residual and spatial insecticide treatments to reduce adult vectors, and conducting adult mosquito surveillance to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments.
Now that Zika-positive mosquitoes have been identified in surveillance traps in Miami Beach, Miami-Dade County’s Mosquito Control team will continue to conduct inspections to reduce mosquito breeding and perform spray treatments as necessary in a 1/8-mile radius around the trap location.
Floridians can help prevent the spread of Zika by eliminating mosquito breeding grounds by draining standing water around their homes, businesses and communities.Total cases not involving pregnant women: 523Cases involving pregnant women: 70
