The first sexually transmitted Zika case of 2017 has been confirmed to be in Pinellas County, the Florida Department of Health said Tuesday.
- Partner had traveled to Cuba and had Zika symptoms
- 118 cases of Zika reported last year in Florida
- State offers free Zika testing to pregnant women
Although the person infected had not traveled, their partner had recently traveled to Cuba and was ill with symptoms consistent with Zika, the health department said.
Both tested positive for Zika.
Though there is no evidence of transmission through mosquitoes taking place anywhere in Florida, mosquito reduction activities are taking place, the health department said.
"It is important to remember Zika can also be transmitted sexually and to take precautions if you or your partner traveled to an area where Zika is active," the health department said in a news release.
There were 118 cases of Zika reported in Florida in 2016.
At Gov. Rick Scott's direction, all county health departments offer free Zika testing to pregnant women.
For more information on Zika virus and the status of Zika in Florida, visit http://www.floridahealth.gov/zika