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Florida Enlists Commercial Pest Control Firms in Zika Fight

A Miami-Dade County mosquito control worker sprays around a home in the Wynwood area of Miami on Monday, Aug. 1, 2016. The CDC has issued a new advisory that says pregnant women should not travel a Zika-stricken part of Miami, and pregnant women who live there should take steps to prevent mosquito bites and sexual spread of the virus. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)
A Miami-Dade County mosquito control worker sprays around a home in the Wynwood area of Miami on Monday, Aug. 1, 2016. The CDC has issued a new advisory that says pregnant women should not travel a Zika-stricken part of Miami, and pregnant women who live there should take steps to prevent mosquito bites and sexual spread of the virus. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

MIAMI — Florida officials have enlisted commercial pest control companies in their fight to stop Miami-area mosquitoes from spreading Zika.

A statement Monday from Gov. Rick Scott's office says 30 people have been infected with the Zika virus through mosquito bites in the state.

In addition, the Florida Department of Health announced 28 new travel-related cases, including one in Alachua County (its sixth) and one in Marion County (its first).

Scott's office said Florida's Department of Health was investigating three places in Miami-Dade County and one location in Palm Beach County where new infections may have occurred. However, state health officials still believe active transmissions are limited to a previously identified zone encompassing Miami's Wynwood neighborhood.

Scott said Miami-Dade County has requested funding for more staff and mosquito traps. Scott said health officials will send additional commercial pest control companies to help local mosquito control operations and "ensure the county has every possible tool to fight Zika."

The Associated Press is a wire service to which WUFT News subscribes.