mosquito borne virus News

Florida’s New Tactic to Fight Zika: Release of 20K Bacteria-Infected Mosquitoes

Thousands of bacteria-infected mosquitoes were released in the wild Tuesday near Key West, testing a new way to kill mosquitoes that carry Zika and other viruses. The Florida Keys Mosquito Control District released 20,000 male mosquitoes infected by the Kentucky-based …

Florida Continues Aggressive Efforts to Stop Zika

Florida officials say they’re continuing aggressive efforts to stop the spread of the Zika virus. Gov. Rick Scott met Monday with Miami-Dade County officials to discuss Zika preparedness ahead of Florida’s rainy season, when mosquitoes are most prevalent. Officials said …

Zika-Carrying Mosquitoes Found in New Area of Miami Beach

More Zika-carrying mosquitoes have been captured in Miami Beach, this time in a new neighborhood. The Florida Department of Agriculture said Saturday that it’s the sixth time Zika-bearing mosquitoes have been captured in Miami Beach. It was the first capture …

One Area of Miami Declared Zika-Free While Zika Zone in Miami Beach Expanded

Authorities declared a victory Monday in stemming further infections of Zika in Miami’s Wynwood arts district, but continued to caution pregnant women about traveling to the city and surrounding areas out of concerns for catching the virus. The U.S. Centers …

Florida Takes Zika Fight to the Air, Begins Pesticide Spraying Over South Beach

Aerial spraying of the insecticide naled is scheduled over South Beach in Florida, where more mosquitoes have tested positive for the Zika virus. In a statement Tuesday, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez said the flights recommended by Florida health officials …

Zika Case Found in Florida County Hundreds of Miles From Miami

Florida officials on Tuesday announced the first case of Zika acquired by local mosquitoes in Pinellas County, located some 265 miles (425 km) from Miami, where the first locally transmitted U.S. cases were reported. Florida Governor Rick Scott also said …

Officials: No Long-Term Impact on Florida Tourism Expected Despite Zika Spread

The discovery of Zika-carrying mosquitoes in South Florida certainly isn’t ideal for tourism, but local officials and business leaders are confident the long-term impact on the tourism industry will be minor. Transmission of the virus via mosquito has been confirmed …

Source: Locally Transmitted Zika Virus Found in Miami Beach

Florida health officials have found evidence of local Zika virus transmission in Miami Beach, one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, opening a new front in the fight against the mosquito-borne virus, according to a source familiar with the …

Back-to-School Brings New Challenges in Florida’s Zika Fight

Florida’s caseload of Zika spread by Miami mosquitoes had risen to 25 as of August 11, and U.S. health officials continue to warn pregnant women to avoid the infection zone despite the governor’s assurances that the area of concern is …

Miami’s Popular Wynwood District Says Zika Reports Killing Business

Business has plummeted in Miami’s Wynwood arts district since Zika infections were reported there, according to gallery and restaurant owners who want government officials to speed up their response and help offset their losses. At an emergency meeting Monday, the …