Florida Finds Local Zika Case Hundreds Of Miles Away From Miami

The virus also continues to spread in the Wynwood neighborhood of Miami.
Florida Governor Rick Scott said Zika virus continues to spread in Miami, despite aggressive spraying.
Joe Raedle via Getty Images
Florida Governor Rick Scott said Zika virus continues to spread in Miami, despite aggressive spraying.

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Florida officials on Tuesday announced the first case of Zika acquired by local mosquitoes in Pinellas County, located some 265 miles (425 km) from Miami, where the first locally transmitted U.S. cases were reported.

Florida Governor Rick Scott also said there were four new cases of Zika transmission in the Wynwood neighborhood of Miami, where officials have been aggressively spraying for the mosquitoes that carry the virus for weeks.

The state department of health has begun door-to-door outreach in Pinellas County, testing individuals to find other cases, Scott said in a statement. He added that mosquito abatement and reduction activities are also taking place.

Pinellas County is home to St. Petersburg, a popular tourist destination.

(Reporting by Julie Steenhuysen; Editing by Paul Simao)

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