Florida authorities on Friday reported what is believed to be the first evidence of local Zika transmission in the continental United States, concluding that mosquitoes likely infected four people with the virus that can cause rare but serious birth defects.
had been infected, Gov. Scott said.
Zika's greatest risk is believed to be posed by infection in pregnant women, given its ability to cause microcephaly in babies, a condition defined by small head size that can lead to developmental problems.
The current outbreak was first detected in Brazil last year and has since spread rapidly through the America.
Florida Surgeon General Celeste Philip said that health officials are not advising pregnant women in the transmission area to move.
"We do not believe there will be ongoing transmission," Dr Philip said at a press conference in Orlando, citing daily efforts to control the mosquito population in the area.
The local health department is searching for other potential infections, with more than 2,300 people tested so far in the state, is ramping up mosquito control programs and is distributing Zika protection kits to pregnant women at their doctors' offices, Florida officials said.
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