Cuba

Florida Has Its First Sexually Transmitted Zika Case of 2017

The first sexually transmitted Zika case of 2017 in Florida has been confirmed, state health officials said Tuesday.

The case was confirmed in Pinellas County and involves a person whose partner had recently traveled to Cuba and was ill with symptoms consistent with Zika, Florida Department of Health officials said.

Officials said there is no evidence of Zika transmission through mosquitoes taking place anywhere in Florida.

Most of Florida's 118 Zika cases this year have been linked to travel outside the continental U.S. The only local cases confirmed this year all were linked to exposure to the virus in 2016.

Zika can cause a mild illness, with fever, rash and joint pain. Infection during pregnancy can lead to severe brain-related birth defects.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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