Florida Zika Virus Outbreak: Students to Get Zika Lessons, Mosquito Protection
Outbreak has infected at least 36 people in south Florida.
— -- The fight to stop an outbreak of locally transmitted Zika was complicated last week after a second transmission site was located in the Miami area. Florida Gov. Rick Scott confirmed on Friday there was a new outbreak of locally transmitted Zika in Miami Beach that has left at least five people infected, bringing the total number of locally transmitted cases to 36.
The site was announced as health officials continue to try and clear a separate site where the virus is being transmitted by mosquitoes.
Here's a look at how the first-ever outbreak of locally transmitted Zika in the continental U.S. has affected people throughout the region.
Students Get Zika Prevention Lessons
Today marks the first day of school for Florida students in the Miami area and government officials are hoping they can teach students to stop Zika transmission and how to protect themselves.
Schools are getting extra bug spray and teachers are getting training on how to teach students to protect themselves from mosquito bites. Additionally, students are now being allowed to wear long sleeves and pants, even if they don't match their uniform.
NIH Official Warns Gulf States at Risk
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, warned that many other states, especially "those along the Gulf Coast" could be at risk for an outbreak of locally transmitted Zika.
"I would not be surprised if we see cases in Texas, in Louisiana, particularly now where you have a situation with flooding in Louisiana," Fauci told ABC News' George Stephanopoulos on "This Week" on Sunday.
He explained that Gulf states have a mix of climate and circumstances that could contribute to an increased risk of a Zika outbreak. However, he said did not think there was a big risk of a nationwide outbreak of the disease.
"When you have a sub-tropical, or semi-tropical region with the right mosquitoes, and individuals who have travel-related cases that are in the environment, it would not be surprising that we will see additional cases, not only in Florida, but perhaps in other of the Gulf Coast states," Fauci said.
Pregnant Woman Moves Out of Florida
A woman expecting her second child told WSVN-TV that she is moving out of the state for the duration of her pregnancy. Gigi Mains said she is concerned she could be exposed to the Zika virus while living in Broward County in south Florida. While there have been no cases of Zika being transmitted locally in that county, Mains said she doesn't want to take any chances.
She said she plans to live in Virginia with her older son until she gives birth to her second child.
“He’s our life and he comes first, and the same thing with this baby,” she told WSVN-TV. "I want to give this baby the same chance that he had to be healthy and have a good life.”