Sarasota sees first case of travel-related Zika

Sarasota County has its first case of travel-related Zika, according to Florida Department of Health’s latest update.

Sarasota County has now been added to the Declaration of Public Health Emergency. The Sarasota case is one of 10 new travel-related cases on Friday, according to the state. Three new non-travel related cases were also identified in Miami-Dade County on Friday, according to the update.

Manatee has seen two travel-related cases of Zika so far. Earlier this week, the Manatee County Mosquito Control director briefed county officials and said they’d be ready if there’s a locally transmitted case.

State health officials say they believe all the active transmissions of Zika are taking place within an area of Miami-Dade that is less than one square mile.

Zika is spread to humans from certain types of mosquitoes and poses the most danger to women who are pregnant or may become pregnant after contracting the virus.

The current Zika outbreak is the first time scientists have seen a devastating birth defect like microcephaly resulting from a mosquito-borne disease, even among asymptomatic women, and discussing Zika is status quo now between doctors and patients.

Since Aug. 3, all county health departments have been offering free Zika risk assessment and testing to any pregnant woman who would like to be tested.

This story was originally published August 12, 2016 at 3:43 PM with the headline "Sarasota sees first case of travel-related Zika."