Miami

2 Zika Virus Cases Linked to Miami Beach

Two new cases of Zika have been linked to Miami Beach, NBC 6 learned Thursday.

One case was from a tourist that visited the city two weeks ago, and the other is from a resident who works on the beach according to an email obtained.

Miami Beach city manager Jimmy Morales tweeted that officials have been in constant contact with the Florida Department of Health on the best strategies for mosquito control.

Florida Department of Health officials confirmed in a statement that there were two new non-travel related cases of Zika outside the one-square mile area in Wynwood where more than two dozen other cases have been found, but didn't give an exact location.

"While the department is continuing to investigate areas in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties where local transmissions of Zika may have occurred, the department still believes active transmissions are still only occurring in the area that is less than one square mile in Miami-Dade County," the statement read. "If investigations reveal additional areas of likely active transmission, the department will announce a defined area of concern."

At a news conference Thursday night, Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine said there's a possibility of a link between the Zika cases and Miami Beach but stressed that they haven't been confirmed.

"There is no epidemic, there is no outbreak of Zika on Miami Beach, there are two unconfirmed cases, the county says and the health department says, but they have not been confirmed for Miami Beach," Levine said.

Levine also quickly dismissed any reports that there was a Zika cluster in Miami Beach.

"I know there's been talk about some kind of cluster, there's no cluster," he said.

Levine also said the city has been ramping up the fight against mosquitoes.

"I can tell you this, I wouldn't want to be a mosquito on Miami Beach," Levine said.

Morales sent a message to residents later Thursday asking them to drain sources of standing water, including flower pots, buckets, car tires, toys and other items.

Morales added that they're also working with Miami-Dade County on inspecting and mitigating mosquitoes.

Stay tuned to NBC 6 on air and online for more on this developing story.

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