First travel-related Zika case confirmed in Charlotte County

Published: Updated:
James Gathany / CDC / MGN

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Centers for Disease Control have confirmed the first case of Zika in Charlotte County, according to the Florida Department of Health.

It’s a travel-related case, the CDC said. Charlotte County Mosquito Control is responding with an extra round of measures in an effort to prevent the mosquito-borne virus from entering the county’s population of insects, a county news release said.

The CDC confirmed 10 other cases in Florida on Friday, bringing the statewide total to 246.

The Zika virus causes flu-like symptoms, such as red eyes, rash, fever, malaise and joint and muscle pain, that can last from seven to 10 days. It’s especially threatening for pregnant women, as it’s been linked to cases of microcephaly, a condition in which a baby is born with a smaller than normal head.

The first case of a baby born with Zika symptoms in Florida was confirmed earlier this week. A bill that proposed $1.1 billion to fight the virus failed Thursday in the Senate.

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