JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The latest confirmed cases of the Zika virus in Florida include a travel-related case in a patient in Jacksonville, the Florida Department of Health announced Friday.
News4Jax has learned the latest case was caught during travel to Puerto Rico.
The Duval County case plus new cases in Broward, Citrus, Miami-Dade, Polk and Seminole counties bring the total count in the state to 180, not counting 40 cases that involve pregnant women, which are counted separately and not designated by county.
This was the second Zika virus case in Jacksonville. The first was diagnosed last week.
News4Jax went to Camp Tomahawk park on Jacksonville's Southside Friday, where several people voiced concern about the rising cases of Zika.
"I think that's a bit of a concern, especially with what you've seen and babies. It's just not good," Steven Vogel said.
Vogel and his father Tom Vogel take walks nightly at the park, but they said they made have to stop coming to the park at certain times if things get worse.
"That's what everyone here in Jacksonville is concerned about. And we all need to take basic precautions again. Avoid times when mosquitoes are going to be especially active, such as dawn and dusk and just get yourself some repellent from a local pharmacy," Vogel said.
Paul Heck, who lives near the park, said he's called Mosquito Control before, asking them to spray his neighborhood. According to the city's website, crews sprayed his street, Sanchez Road, Thursday.
"I think the Mosquito Control here in Jacksonville does a pretty good job because, normally, within 48 hours, certainly within 72 hours. I've seen or heard a piece of equipment in the neighborhood," Heck said.
Heck said he would like to see them spray near the area of Goodbys park too, since often times, the water is stagnant and a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Clay and St. Johns counties have each reported two cases of Zika virus, and Alachua County has four. The vast majority of Florida's cases are in central and south Florida.
Of the cases confirmed in Florida, 17 patients are still exhibiting symptoms. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms associated with the Zika virus last seven to 10 days and can include fever or rash.
The CDC confirmed this month that three babies with birth defects caused by the Zika virus have been born in the United States. It is recommended that women who are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant postpone travel to areas affected by the Zika virus.
The health department also encourages people to wear insect repellent with DEET during the hours of dusk and dawn, and remove standing water because it could attract mosquitoes. For broken fountains or wells, drop chlorine tablets in them to stop mosquitoes from breeding.
Anyone who lives in an area that they feel needs to be sprayed, can call the city of Jacksonville Mosquito Control Division at 630-CITY. To find a list of areas that crews have already sprayed, visit the city's Mosquito Control Division website.