Two new cases of Zika virus reported in Miami-Dade County

Miami is the only place on the US mainland with cases linked to bug bites, though other states along the Gulf of Mexico have feared local transmission, too, because they are home to Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that ferry the disease.

Florida’s Department of Health said there are four active investigations under way outside of the designated zone in Wynwood, including three cases in Miami-Dade and one in Palm Beach.

So far, the Florida Department of Health has confirmed 30 cases of locally acquired Zika virus.

Gov. Rick Scott said Monday the department is sending in “additional commercial pest control companies to assist with local mosquito control efforts in Miami-Dade County”. An area slightly smaller than a one-square mile in a neighborhood north of downtown Miami remains the ground zero for local transmissions.

“There are two new non-travel related cases today in Miami-Dade County”, the Florida health department said in a statement. DOH has also coordinated mosquito control experts from around the state to provide guidance to Miami-Dade County on best practices for mosquito control.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has tested more than 25,000 mosquitoes for Zika in Florida and none has come back positive, the state said. Several blocks of the Wynwood area have already been cleared. Marco Rubio told the Miami Herald’s editorial board on Monday that he supports the creation of a special fund for responding to infectious disease outbreaks, which would make it easier for federal agencies to act without having to wait for Congress.

The Zika virus is not deadly, but produces symptoms similar to Dengue fever.

Most people aren’t at big risk, but infection can cause severe birth defects if a pregnant woman gets infected. Zika is spread by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. Many citizens have protested the release of the mosquitoes.