Zika has been detected in three mosquito samples from a small area in Miami Beach, the Florida Department of Agriculture has announced.
It says they came from an area of trapping and "intensified mosquito control measures are occurring."
“This find is disappointing, but not surprising. Florida is among the best in the nation when it comes to mosquito surveillance and control, and this detection enables us to continue to effectively target our resources. Miami-Dade County, the City of Miami Beach, and state and federal partners will continue to work aggressively to prevent the spread of Zika,” Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam said in a statement.
Miami-Dade County Mosquito Control plans to continue conducting inspections to reduce mosquito breeding and perform spray treatments as necessary in a 1/8-mile radius around the trap location, the Agriculture Department said.
This comes just one day after state health officials confirm the third non-travel related case of Zika here in Palm Beach County. And Palm Beach County's Mosquito Control Division is keeping a close eye on these developments in Miami-Dade.
“It's just a warning that the storm may come," said Chris Reisinger, an environmental analyst with the county's Mosquito Control Division. “We're definitely preparing for it. We’re using the same traps, sending mosquitoes to the same labs.
We've learned that mosquitoes trapped in Miami Beach #Zika zone have tested positive for the virus. First time mosquitoes test + the U.S.
— Joey Flechas (@joeflech) September 1, 2016