CRESTVIEW — The Florida Department of Health announced today that a travel-related case of Zika virus was reported in Okaloosa County, making this our area's first known instance of Zika.
However, that's all the department will say.
"Due to patient confidentiality we cannot disclose where the person lives other than that they are an Okaloosa resident who acquired Zika in St. Lucia," Mara Gambineri, the state DOH's communication director, said.
—
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
CRESTVIEW — One incident of travel-related Zika virus has been reported in Okaloosa County, according to the Florida Department of Public Health.
There are seven new travel-related cases today with three in Broward, one in Miami-Dade, one in Okaloosa, one in Osceola and one involving a pregnant woman, according to a DOH media release.
The declaration of Public Health Emergency has been amended to include Okaloosa County.
On Feb. 3, Gov. Rick Scott directed the State Surgeon General to issue a Declaration of Public Health Emergency for the counties of residents with travel-associated cases of Zika.
Okaloosa County is now included in that declaration.
Now, there are 23 counties included in the declaration – Alachua, Brevard, Broward, Clay, Collier, Duval, Escambia, Hillsborough, Highlands, Lee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Okaloosa, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Santa Rosa, Seminole, St. Johns and Volusia.
DOH encourages Florida residents and visitors to protect themselves from all mosquito-borne illnesses by draining standing water; covering their skin with repellent and clothing; and covering windows with screens.
DOH has a mosquito-borne illness surveillance system and is working with CDC, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and local county mosquito control boards to ensure that the proper precautions are being taken to protect Florida residents and visitors.
Of the cases confirmed in Florida, 19 are still exhibiting symptoms. According to CDC, symptoms associated with the Zika virus last between seven to 10 days.
CDC recommends that women who are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant postpone travel to Zika affected areas. According to CDC guidance, providers should consider testing all pregnant women with a history of travel to a Zika affected area for the virus. CDC recommends that a pregnant woman with a history of Zika virus and her provider should consider additional ultrasounds.
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 11 having met the previous CDC case definition.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: UPDATE: Health department reveals source of Okaloosa's first Zika case