New Pool Of Miami Beach Mosquitoes Test Positive For Zika
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MIAMI BEACH (CBSMiami) -- A new batch of Zika-carrying mosquitoes has been detected in the Miami Beach Zika zone.
The positive sample, which is only preliminary, came from a trap located at 1810 Jefferson Avenue on September 23rd. The results must still be confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention since Miami-Dade has had false positives on tested traps in the past. If confirmed, this would be the seventh pool, or batch, of mosquitoes testing positive for Zika on Miami Beach.
The Zika transmission zone in Miami Beach is a 4.5 mile area within the boundaries of 8th and 63rd streets.
Meantime, there are six new non-travel related cases today in Miami-Dade County, according to the Department of Health.
- Two cases had exposure in Miami Beach.
- Four cases are Miami-Dade County residents and the department is investigating where exposure occurred.
Miami-Dade Mosquito Control continues to conduct an aggressive program to reduce and eliminate mosquito breeding and adult mosquitoes in the entire zone of transmission on Miami Beach, however Hurricane Matthew is now getting in the way of the mosquito control efforts.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez said Tuesday that spraying pesticides would not be effective in the tropical storm-force winds expected in the region later this week.
Gimenez said mosquitoes aren't likely to be flying around during the storm, but "the Zika prevention efforts will have to stop during those times."
Residents should drain standing water from their properties before and after the hurricane to reduce the threat of mosquito-borne viruses.
Zika 101: Prevent Spread By Protecting Yourself
State health officials have said Miami Beach is the only area where Zika is currently being transmitted, but other infections are being investigated elsewhere in Miami-Dade County and in Palm Beach County.
Click here for more information on the Zika virus or here for more Zika-related stories.
