MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – A stretch of Miami Beach has been cleared of the Zika virus, Gov. Rick Scott announced Tuesday.
Scott said the Florida Department of Health has cleared the northern portion of the so-called "Zika zone" stretching from 28th Street to 63rd Street.
"I am proud to announce that three miles of the impacted area in Miami Beach have now been cleared of any ongoing active transmission of the Zika virus," Scott said.
The governor said it's been more than 45 days since the last local transmission of the Zika virus was detected in the area. He said the last time someone contracted the Zika virus within the boundary was Sept. 27.
A small stretch of Miami Beach between Eighth and 28th Streets still remains an active Zika virus transmission area.
"Although today's announcement is great news, we must all remain vigilant and keep doing our part to wear bug spray and dump standing water," Scott said.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez called the announcement "a great day for all of us" in the fight against the Zika virus.
"As far as we know, we are the only community to break the cycle of transmission -- first in Wynwood, and now in the north area of Miami Beach," Gimenez said in a statement. "We have been successful because we have worked in direct consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Department of Agriculture, as well as our partners at the city of Miami Beach, and we will continue to follow our proactive and aggressive protocol to keep our community safe from the spread of Zika."
