The Florida Department of Health confirmed today the first Zika-related case of microcephaly in a child born in Florida whose mother had a travel-related case of Zika. The mother, a citizen of Haiti, came to Florida to deliver her baby. The department is working with the family to connect the child to services through the Early Steps program.
CDC recommends that women who are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant postpone travel to Zika affected areas. According to CDC guidance, providers should consider testing all pregnant women with a history of travel to a Zika affected area for the virus. CDC also recommends that a pregnant woman with a history of Zika virus and her provider should consider additional ultrasounds.
Microcephaly is a birth defect in which babies are born with abnormally small heads and incomplete brain development. Babies with the defect often have a range of problems including developmental delay, intellectual disability, problems with movement and balance, hearing loss and vision problems.
Through Monday, Florida has seen 183 Zika cases not involving pregnant women, all travel-related. In addition, 40 cases involving pregnant women regardless of symptoms have also been reported.
On June 23, Governor Rick Scott announced that he will use his emergency executive authority to allocate $26.2 million in state funds for Zika preparedness, prevention and response in Florida.
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