Florida enlists commercial pest control firms in Zika fight

1 new travel-related case reported in Alachua County

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida officials have enlisted commercial pest control companies in their fight to stop Miami-area mosquitoes from spreading Zika, Gov. Rick Scott announced Monday.

As of Monday, there were 30 people who have been infected with the Zika virus through mosquito bites in the state, 440 travel-related cases of the Zika virus -- including one in Alachua County -- and 59 infections involving pregnant women, according to the Florida Department of Health. 

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There are two new non-travel related cases confirmed Monday in Miami-Dade County. One of the individuals was exposed in the less than one-square mile in Miami-Dade County and the second new non-travel related infection is located outside of the one-square mile area in Miami-Dade County, health officials said.

Scott said Florida's Department of Health was investigating three places in Miami-Dade County and one location in Palm Beach County where new infections may have occurred. However, state health officials still believe active transmissions are limited to a previously identified zone encompassing Miami's Wynwood neighborhood.

Scott said Miami-Dade County has requested funding for more staff and mosquito traps. Scott said health officials will send additional commercial pest control companies to help local mosquito control operations and "ensure the county has every possible tool to fight Zika."

The department has conducted testing for the Zika virus for more than 3,397 people statewide. Florida currently has the capacity to test 5,544 people for active Zika virus and 3,141 for Zika antibodies. Beginning Aug. 3, all county health departments started offering free Zika risk assessment and testing to any pregnant woman who would like to be tested.