EMERGENCY

FL Gov: 5 New Zika Cases Transmitted in Miami Beach

Brings the state’s total to 36.

Five new cases of the Zika virus were locally transmitted in Miami Beach, Florida Gov. Rick Scott said Friday, prompting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to warn pregnant women against traveling to the 1.5-mile transmission area. Three of the five people infected with the virus were visitors to the area, Scott said. Friday’s announcement increases the total locally transmitted Zika cases in the state to 36. The first such case in the continental United States was announced last month, originating in a different section of Miami. Researchers are now recruiting volunteers to be infected with the virus for research and development purposes.