© 2024 WFSU Public Media
WFSU News · Tallahassee · Panama City · Thomasville
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

As Fla. Zika Cases Top 1,200, Health Officials Continue To Stress Mosquito Prevention

MGN Online

There are now more than 1,200 cases of the Zika virus in Florida, and about a fifth are locally contracted cases via Florida mosquitoes. So, health officials are reminding Floridians to continue taking preventive measures to combat the disease.

In a recent video, Florida health officials say protection against mosquito bites is key to preventing Zika.

“Mosquitos can spread Zika virus day and night. So protect yourself and pregnant women with these tips: 1) Shut doors and cover windows with screens. 2) Use EPA-approved insect repellents anytime you’re outdoors. 3) Cover your skin with long sleeves and pants. 4) Mosquitoes lay their eggs in water. Just a bottle cap of water is all they need. So, drain, refresh, or cover anything around buildings that can hold water at least weekly and put away outside items that aren’t being used.”

Zika can be sexually transmitted and can cause severe birth defects as well. More than 170 pregnant women have the virus. Of the 1,213 cases reported Tuesday, close to 960 are considered travel-related. The 240 locally contracted cases occurred mainly in the South Florida area.

For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter: @SaschaCordner.

Sascha Cordner has more than ten years of public radio experience. It includes working at NPR member station WUFT-FM in Gainesville for several years. She's worked in both radio and TV, serving in various capacities as a reporter, producer and anchor. She's also a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications. She is the recipient of 15 awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and Edward R. Murrow. Her award-winning stories include her coverage on the infamous “Dozier School for Boys” and a feature titled "Male Breast Cancer: Lost in the Sea of Pink." Currently, Sascha serves as the host and producer of local and state news content for the afternoon news program "All Things Considered" at WFSU. Sascha primarily covers criminal justice and social services issues. When she's not reporting, Sascha likes catching up on her favorite TV shows, singing and reading. Follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter:@SaschaCordner.