Tough Decisions in Miami Due to Zika

Many months have passed since the Zika virus started triggering international health concerns, and unfortunately the situation seems to be getting worse instead of better. Florida has now officially joined the ranks of other foreign cities with internal Zika infections. Two domestic cases of Zika were just confirmed in Miami-Dade County, leading the Department of Health to implement many preventative and protective measures.

Prevention in Schools

School has now started for Florida children, so to prevent schools from becoming hotbeds of Zika, health officials are watching two “Zika zones” carefully. The state’s Department of Health is handing out free bug repellant to high school students, and the Miami-Dade district is providing protective clothing to any student in need. These preventative measures are critically important given than more than 7,000 students will be attending school in the “Zika zones.”

Pregnancy Recommendations

Given the growing number of people with Zika in Florida, pregnant women have been advised to avoid Miami until after childbirth. Many pregnant Miami women are staying indoors, while others are leaving to live with family and friends in other places until after giving birth. Given the serious birth defects caused by the Zika virus, it’s wise for pregnant and soon-to-be pregnant women to be extremely cautious.

Miami Beach Mayor Requests Zika Bill

The Mayor of Miami is speaking out against Congress for failing to pass a bill designed to combat the Zika virus. Mayor Philip Levine told CNN, “It’s the responsibility of the federal government to get back to work and pass some type of ZIka bill.”

Levin went on to explain that the local government in Miami is doing everything possible to educate residents and tourists about Zika while also eliminating standing water and garbage sources where Zika-spreading mosquitoes love to lay eggs. “It’s not right to play politics with people’s lives,” he continued.