Five More Local Zika Cases in Florida; CDC Issues Travel Advisory

A new cluster of five Zika infections around Miami Beach has led the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to issue a warning for pregnant women to avoid the area of transmission, ABC News reported.

In addition to the travel advisory that warns pregnant women to stay away from the part of Miami Beach where Zika transmission is ongoing, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised pregnant women and their partners to consider avoiding nonessential travel to all of Miami-Dade County if they are concerned about the virus.

CDC director Dr. Tom Frieden told reporters today they wanted to err on the side of caution.

“We'll always err on the side of providing more information to the public," Frieden told reporters. "That's why we've highlighted we are quite concerned about these two areas where we know there has been a spread of Zika through local mosquitoes."

Miami Beach has certain characteristics that may make it more difficult for public health officials to fight the virus' spread, Frieden said today. He said aerial spraying cannot be conducted because of Miami Beach's high-rise buildings. In addition, the area's large crowds mean more people are likely to be exposed, and few in the tourist-heavy beach community are likely to follow recommendations to wear long sleeves and pants, Frieden said.