The new case count represent 298 new Zika cases reported in a week.
Zika is of particular concern for pregnant women, as the infection can cause birth defects, including microcephaly, in infants. As of Aug. 11, 16 babies in the U.S. have been born with Zika-related birth defects, and there have been five pregnancy losses with birth defects due to Zika.
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Most of the Zika cases in the U.S. are travel-related, but mosquitoes in a Miami, Fla., neighborhood are spreading Zika on U.S. soil. According to the CDC, there have been 14 locally acquired mosquito-borne Zika cases as of Aug. 17. However, a Thursday update from the Florida Department of Health puts the locally acquired Zika case count at 35.
In addition to mosquitoes, Zika can be spread through sex. The CDC reports that 22 of the nation’s Zika cases were sexually transmitted. A recently released study showed Zika virus can remain in semen for six months.
More articles on Zika:
Zika, Ebola epidemics underscore need for open data sharing
HHS, Hologic sign $1.4M agreement to further Zika blood test development
Florida Zika outbreak could reach Puerto Rico outbreak’s levels, virologist says
