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State Reports 7 New Zika Cases

The Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that can spread Zika are native to Florida.
WMFE
The Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that can spread Zika are native to Florida.

State health officials said Tuesday that seven more Zika cases have been reported in Florida, bringing the overall number of cases in the state to 1,213.

Two of the cases involved Miami-Dade County residents who were infected with the mosquito-borne virus locally, according to information posted on the Florida Department of Health website. The department said it was investigating to determine where exposure occurred.

Meanwhile, five new cases were described as "travel-related," meaning people were infected elsewhere and brought the virus into the state. Two of the new travel-related cases were in Miami-Dade County, while Broward, Monroe and Orange counties each had one case.

Zika is particularly dangerous to pregnant women because it can cause severe birth defects. Florida has had 173 cases involving pregnant women, according to the Department of Health website.

Copyright 2016 Health News Florida

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