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FIU Panel Offers Reassurance On Zika

A microscopic view of the zika virus.
Cynthia Goldsmith
/
Centers for Disease Control via Wikimedia Commons
A microscopic view of the zika virus.

 

 

There's no need to panic about zika, experts told concerned South Florida residents at a panel discussion at Florida International University on Wednesday.

 

Although nine cases of the virus had been confirmed in Florida as of Wednesday morning, all of those cases were contracted outside the United States, said Matthew DeGennaro, an FIU mosquito researcher.

So far, there is no evidence that the virus has spread from mosquitoes to humans or from human to humans in Florida. And overall there's very little evidence of human-to-human transmission, except for one case in Texas that was likely sexually transmitted.

 

The zika virus causes a rash and flu-like symptoms in healthy adults and children. But experts believe there may be a link between zika and microcephaly, a birth defect that -- among other problems -- can prevent a baby's brain from developing fully.

 

Experts at the panel said South Florida residents can protect themselves from the virus by doing the things they’d normally do: wear bug repellant containing the chemical DEET, avoid standing water and use air conditioners and window screens.

 

That was reassuring news for Florida International University graduate student Gretha Burchard. She's studying public administration and has frequent contact with visitors from Latin America. She's also seven months pregnant.

 

"You get concerned and you want to ask people who know a little bit more," Burchard said. The panelists "managed to calm me down a little bit... They were not too worried about me having some mosquito bites."

Meanwhile, as a precautionary measure, Florida Gov. Rick Scott requested on Wednesday that the state declare zika a public health emergency in four counties: Miami-Dade, Hillsborough, Lee and Santa Rosa.

As of Wednesday morning, Miami-Dade County had four confirmed cases of zika, all of which were contracted during travel.

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Kate Stein can't quite explain what attracts her to South Florida. It's more than just the warm weather (although this Wisconsin native and Northwestern University graduate definitely appreciates the South Florida sunshine). It has a lot to do with being able to travel from the Everglades to Little Havana to Brickell without turning off 8th Street. It's also related to Stein's fantastic coworkers, whom she first got to know during a winter 2016 internship.Officially, Stein is WLRN's environment, data and transportation journalist. Privately, she uses her job as an excuse to rove around South Florida searching for stories à la Carl Hiaasen and Edna Buchanan. Regardless, Stein speaks Spanish and is always thrilled to run, explore and read.