New non-travel Zika found in Palm Beach County

Published: Updated:
(MGN)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A new non-travel-related case of the Zika virus exists in Palm Beach County, the Florida Department of Health said Wednesday, adding that 15 new travel-related cases have also emerged around the state.

A total of 523 travel-related and 43 non-travel related cases have now been diagnosed across Florida, according to the department. The latest non-travel-related case in Palm Beach County isn’t connected to the county’s first, which emerged earlier this month and is believed to have been tied to an area of mosquito-borne virus transmission in the Wynwood arts district of Miami.

It’s unclear whether the new non-travel-related case has anything to do with either the Wynwood district or another area of mosquito-borne transmission in Miami Beach. However, the department emphasized that one case does not mean ongoing active transmission is taking place.

The handling of efforts to combat the virus has been a source of frustration for Sen. Marco Rubio, as he expressed Wednesday in a visit to a campaign office in Lee County. The Florida Republican said his colleagues in the federal government have let the state down.

He said funding and research should be top priorities when Congress returns from its summer recess. The Senator added that he hoped news of mosquito-borne cases would spur Congress into action.

“Our job is to make sure the funds are available, not just to fight Zika, but ultimately to develop the vaccine, which is the ultimate way to get rid of of this once and for all,” Rubio said.

 

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