All Zika All The Time...

[DYKWIA]

The BBC has announced this morning that four people have been infected with the Zika virus in Florida, having being bitten in Floruda. Pregnant women or couples trying for children are now being advised to carefully consider travel to Florida.

 

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36929641

Edited July 30, 2016 by DYKWIA

[NorbertsNiece]

Here's the link to the official UK Gov Travel Advice and here is the link they refer you on to. Edited July 30, 2016 by NorbertsNiece

[DYKWIA]

Something that I learned today from the Doctor of Tropical medicine on the BBC is that whereas Malarial Mosquitoes are much more likely to bite at dusk and dawn those carrying the Zika virus have been found to bite at anytime of day

[Trainman-2]

Anyone sailing from Miami or Fort Lauderdale would be wise to have on hand and use a good bug repellent!

 

 

 

Florida’s worries about the Zika virus have turned into reality.

 

In the middle of the state’s typically humid, buggy summer, Gov. Rick Scott announced Friday that four Zika cases in South Florida were likely caused by mosquito bites.

 

“All four of these people live in Miami-Dade and Broward counties and the Florida Department of Health believes that active transmissions of this virus could be occurring in one small area in Miami,” Scott said in a prepared statement. “While no mosquitoes have tested positive for the Zika virus, DOH is aggressively testing people in this area to ensure there are no other cases. If you live in this area and want to be tested, I urge you to contact the county health department which stands ready to assist you.”

 

Florida has seen a steady increase in Zika diagnoses in recent months, with the total number of cases nearing 400. But until Friday, health officials said cases stemmed from people who were infected because of travel to places such as South America, where the virus emerged last year.

 

Public-health officials have worried for months that the virus, which is particularly dangerous to pregnant women and can cause severe birth defects, would become mosquito-borne in Florida. The state last week began investigating two potential non-travel related cases in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, followed by two more cases this week.

 

Scott’s office said Friday that one of the cases involves a woman and the other three involve men, none of whom have needed to be hospitalized. It said health officials believe transmissions of the virus have happened in a 1-square-mile area just north of downtown Miami.

 

The governor and state Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam announced a series of steps aimed at reducing the potential for mosquito bites and preventing the spread of the disease through blood.

 

In part, Scott said he directed the state Department of Health to contract with commercial pest-control companies to increase spraying and to take other steps to reduce mosquitos in the targeted area of Miami-Dade. Mosquito-control districts in Miami-Dade and Broward also will receive $1.28 million from the state through December, the governor’s office said.

 

Similarly, Putnam issued a “mosquito declaration” that will last 45 days and calls for aggressive mosquito-control efforts within 200 yards of patients’ homes. That includes efforts to eliminate standing water where mosquitos lay eggs.

 

“Floridians can do their part by draining standing water surrounding their homes, as it can serve as breeding grounds for the mosquitoes that are capable of transmitting the virus,” Putnam said in a statement released by his office.

 

Scott’s office also said the Department of Health will provide $620,000 to OneBlood, the primary blood bank in the area, to help ensure blood screening for Zika. Also, the department will work with the federal Food and Drug Administration and blood banks to make sure that tests are conducted on each unit of blood collected in Miami-Dade and Broward.

 

The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday requested that blood banks in the two counties temporarily halt collecting blood until safeguards are put in place. OneBlood said on its website Friday that all blood collections in the areas it serves in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina will be tested for Zika.

 

“With testing beginning, OneBlood operations remain business as usual and collections will continue throughout its service areas, uninterrupted,” the OneBlood website said.

 

Meanwhile, the state Department of Health said it is continuing “door-to-door outreach” and collecting urine samples in the targeted area of Miami-Dade.

“The results from these efforts will help (the) department determine the number of people affected.,” the department said on its website. “These local cases were identified by clinicians who brought them to the attention of the department.”

 

Miami-Dade and Broward also have been the hardest-hit areas of the state for travel-related Zika cases. As of Friday morning, the Department of Health’s website said the state had 331 travel-related cases that did not involve pregnant women. Miami-Dade had 99 of those cases, while Broward had 55 — substantially more than any other counties.

 

The state does not release the counties for travel-related cases involving pregnant women. But the department said it has monitored 55 pregnant women who have shown evidence of Zika.

 

 

–Jim Saunders, News Service of Florida

 

 

 

http://flaglerlive.com/97574/zika-florida-miami/

[JenMJM]

Just saw the story on the news. Seems to be limited to Miami, which is a huge cruise departure city. Hoping it stays isolated and doesn't spread to other areas. Use your mosquito repellant!

[alaska_planner]

the UK issued a warning today regarding travel to florida:

 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/30/pregnant-women-told-to-delay-florida-travel-over-zika-virus-fears

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/07/30/zika-outbreak-in-florida-prompts-travel-warning-for-pregnant-wom/

 

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-36929641

 

..

[Orator]

It is actually limited to one section of Miami where they are doing heavy spraying and going home to home. Stay away if you are the type who easily panics since your worry isn't worth the trip. Take precautions like long sleeve tops and repellent just to be safe. I don't mean to dismiss the worry, but news reports are usually much worse than the actual situation.

[richsea]

The scary thing is that the geographical area affected is getting wider & wider. Women with the possibility of pregnancy in particular should take all precautions. As of now there are only 4 instances in Florida, but it wasn't that long ago that it was only in certain areas of the Caribbean. It has bothing to do with the press blowing it out of proportion, it has to to with the potential welfare of affected babies.

[Mandy]

If I was planning on conceiving or pregnant, I definitely would not go anywhere infected. Otherwise, for my husband and me in our 50's, I can't say we are too concerned. As stated, just take precautions. I do think the Zika virus will cause lost revenue the affected locations.

[SevenSeas1492]

In April we were in South America and some islands in the Caribbean where Zika is and were vigilant about applying repellent. Yes, it was inconvenient and time consuming; however, neither of us received a single bite, and I would have known because I get huge itchy bumps whenever I'm bitten. So, I think a good repellent and vigilance is the key. Just my experience.

[DYKWIA]

The scary thing is that the geographical area affected is getting wider & wider. Women with the possibility of pregnancy in particular should take all precautions. As of now there are only 4 instances in Florida, but it wasn't that long ago that it was only in certain areas of the Caribbean. It has bothing to do with the press blowing it out of proportion, it has to to with the potential welfare of affected babies.

 

It's not just the women. If a couple are planning on trying to conceive within the next six months BOTH the woman and man should take care as the disease can be sexually transmitted from male to female

[bogofman]

Something to be careful of ,

On our recent TA , we stopped at 3 carribean islands, we covered in jungle formula, just in case, however, I got bitten on the finger in nassau , I assume it was zika free, as I had no symptoms, and Bahamas was supposed to be free of zika.

 

I think I got bit , as I had washed my hands, after I had applied the jungle formula, as we always do on ship.

[Keith1010]

The world is so far behind on this.

 

As is the USA.

 

Keith

[BlueHerons]

The cases have all been traced to Wynwood. Cruisers don't got to Wynwood.

 

Usually only NYers during Art Basel go to Wynwood.

 

http://www.vox.com/2016/7/29/12235578/zika-virus-symptoms-babies-sexually-transmitted-mosquito-bite-questions

[BlueHerons]

There is a lot of misinformation on this thread concerning zika.

 

http://www.vox.com/2016/7/29/12235578/zika-virus-symptoms-babies-sexually-transmitted-mosquito-bite-questions

 

Wynwood is where all the cases have been confined to.

 

Cruisers don't really go to Wynwood, there are no hotels there or chain restaurants.

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

I'm just hoping those onery zika-carrying mosquitoes plan to confine their residence to Wynwood in Miami-Dade and not fly up to Palm Beach County to see the sights here.

[Ashland]

There is a lot of misinformation on this thread concerning zika.

 

http://www.vox.com/2016/7/29/12235578/zika-virus-symptoms-babies-sexually-transmitted-mosquito-bite-questions

 

Wynwood is where all the cases have been confined to.

 

Cruisers don't really go to Wynwood, there are no hotels there or chain restaurants.

 

Very good article...thanks for posting.

[RJ2002]

There is a lot of misinformation on this thread concerning zika.

 

http://www.vox.com/2016/7/29/12235578/zika-virus-symptoms-babies-sexually-transmitted-mosquito-bite-questions

 

Wynwood is where all the cases have been confined to.

 

Cruisers don't really go to Wynwood, there are no hotels there or chain restaurants.

 

I have not been to the Wynwood area, but it looks to have a fairly significant arts scene. Not inconceivable that some cruisers might want to visit the area.

 

And, some cruisers actually do eat at restaurants that are not part of a chain. :cool:

[BlueHerons]

I have not been to the Wynwood area, but it looks to have a fairly significant arts scene. Not inconceivable that some cruisers might want to visit the area.

 

And, some cruisers actually do eat at restaurants that are not part of a chain. :cool:

 

Wynwood is a very cool area with great dining and an amazing art scene.

 

As a matter of fact, we are going to Wynwood Kitchen on Tuesday to eat.

 

This is an area of almost 6 million people and I haven't even seen this story on our local news. We aren't too worried.

[meldreth]

Many UK Travel Companies are offering destination changes to booked holidays if this Zika Virus might affect your decision to travel.

[meldreth]

UK travellers are advised my the Government to avoid Florida, many travel agents are now offering change of destination for those affected.

[hrhdhd]

UK travellers are advised my the Government to avoid Florida, many travel agents are now offering change of destination for those affected.

 

Hmm . . . I live in Florida--guess I should move. ;)

 

Seriously, Florida is a big state. Do we have mosquitos? Yes. Can you defend against them? Yes.

 

I am heading to Europe next week--despite the increasing terrorist attacks. Mosquitos seem less of a risk in comparison.

[RJ2002]

Wynwood is a very cool area with great dining and an amazing art scene.

 

As a matter of fact, we are going to Wynwood Kitchen on Tuesday to eat.

 

This is an area of almost 6 million people and I haven't even seen this story on our local news. We aren't too worried.

 

Thanks for your comments on the Wynwood area, sounds interesting!

 

There was Zika coverage on the national news last night. Aside from calling in a single CDC staffer, it sounds like the State of Florida is handling the situation itself at this point. I had read that Florida has a good program for controlling mosquito-borne illnesses, so that must be reassuring for folks down there.

 

Here is a link to the CDC's latest update from 29 July. At this point, it sounds like they are just recommending the usual precautions (repellent, long sleeves/pants, etc) to minimize exposure.

 

http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2016/p0729-florida-zika-cases.html

 

Hopefully, for both travelers and residents, this will be under control quickly!

[Host CJSKIDS]

Wynwood is a very cool area with great dining and an amazing art scene.

 

As a matter of fact, we are going to Wynwood Kitchen on Tuesday to eat.

 

This is an area of almost 6 million people and I haven't even seen this story on our local news. We aren't too worried.

 

You probably missed it yesterday. They were showing the outlined area in Wynwood and them going door to door.

 

And it's a very cool area, heading there today!!

[meldreth]

Do we have mosquitos? Yes. Can you defend against them? Yes.

 

I am heading to Europe next week--despite the increasing terrorist attacks. Mosquitos seem less of a risk in comparison.

 

 

Guess it depends on whether you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. I don't think young people in that category would be prepared to take the risk.

 

I live in Europe - I don't consider myself any more risk or terrorist attack than anywhere else in the world ;)!