US widens travel warning in Miami, Florida
Tuesday, 23/08/2016 12:02 (GMT+7)
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned pregnant women to avoid tourist areas in Miami, as Florida confirms five new cases of Zika virus spread primarily via mosquitoes.
(Photo: AFP)
In a press conference, Florida Governor Rick Scott said state health officials had identified five cases of Zika believed to be contracted in Miami beach.
"This means we believe we have a new area where local transmissions are occurring in Miami Beach," he said, noting that the state had already stepped up pesticide spraying efforts in this area.
The Zika virus is confirmed to cause the severe birth defect microcephaly, and it’s estimated that millions of people are infected in the Americas. In the continental US, there are over 1,000 people infected due to travel, including 320 pregnant women.
Earlier this year, the World Health Organization declared the Zika virus a global public health emergency because of the risk to newborn children./.
Compiled by BTA
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