The Latest: Scott says Florida’s Zika caseload rises to 25

MIAMI – The Latest on developments related to the spreading Zika virus in a Miami neighbourhood. (all times local):

2:10 p.m.

Florida is reporting more cases of Zika spread by Miami mosquitoes, but the governor says the infection zone is shrinking.

According to a statement Thursday from Gov. Rick Scott’s office, Florida has 25 cases of Zika, but active transmission is only happening in a 1-square-mile area encompassing Miami’s Wynwood neighbourhood.

Scott’s office says Florida’s Department of Health has cleared a second section of Wynwood from the zone.

Aerial spraying of pesticides targeting adult mosquitoes is scheduled Friday over Wynwood as well as surrounding areas, and tablets of larvae-eating bacteria are being dropped into storm drains throughout Miami-Dade County just in case.

An outdoor social space, the Wynwood Yard, has announced that two employees tested positive for Zika, and are doing well. The post said the venue re-opened only after ensuring its safety for staff and customers.

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11:30 a.m.

Kids returning to school in a Miami neighbourhood linked to Zika infections will be allowed to wear pants and long-sleeved shirts that don’t match their school uniforms, but still can’t bring mosquito repellant to campus.

The Miami Herald reports (http://hrld.us/2b7TVfU ) that at a school board meeting Wednesday, Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said “aggressive application” of repellent should be done at home, not at school where some students may be allergic to the spray.

Some 4,000 students attend six schools in the Wynwood arts district where health officials say 22 people have contracted Zika, a mosquito-borne virus. Classes resume Aug. 22.

The Herald reports state health workers will be stationed at each school to check for mosquito breeding sites and provide parents with repellent.

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Information from: The Miami Herald, http://www.herald.com

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Information from: The Miami Herald, http://www.herald.com