Travel-related Zika cases continue growing

Department of Health reported Wednesday 15 new travel-related cases of Zika

As the state announced Wednesday that a locally transmitted case of the Zika virus had been detected in Palm Beach County, travel-related cases of the disease also continued to steadily increase across the state.

The Florida Department of Health reported 15 new travel-related cases, with three in Orange County, three in Pinellas County, three in Polk County, two in Broward County and one each in Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco and Volusia counties.

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Travel-related cases stem from people bringing the disease into the state after being infected elsewhere.

Gov. Rick Scott announced earlier Wednesday that a locally transmitted case of the mosquito-borne disease had been found in Palm Beach County.

As a result, Palm Beach County joined Miami-Dade and Pinellas counties in having infections confirmed as occurring locally.

In all, the Department of Health said the state has had 43 locally transmitted cases, 523 travel-related cases and 70 cases involving pregnant women.

Zika is particularly dangerous to pregnant women because it can cause severe birth defects.