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The statement
from the Florida Department of Health did not specify whether
the Zika case was believed to have been transmitted via mosquito
bite, sexual contact or other means.
The department said the case was reported in Miami-Dade County
and that it is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention on an epidemiological study.
The department also reiterated guidance to Florida residents on
protecting themselves from mosquitoes that may carry the virus.
"Zika prevention kits and repellant will be available for pickup
... and distributed in the area under investigation," the health
department said in a statement. "Mosquito control has already
conducted reduction and prevention activities in the area of
investigation."
Zika, which can cause a rare birth defect and other neurological
conditions, has spread rapidly through the Americas. A small
number of cases of Zika transmitted between sexual partners have
also been documented.
There has yet to be a case of local transmission by mosquitoes
in the continental United States, though more than 1,300 people
in the country have reported infections after traveling to a
Zika outbreak area.
U.S. officials have predicted local outbreaks to begin as the
weather warms, particularly in southern states such as Florida
and Texas.
(Reporting by Michele Gershberg in New York; Editing by Matthew
Lewis and Bernard Orr)
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