Local Miami businesses worry as more people catch Zika virus

World Today

Local Miami businesses worry as more people catch Zika virus

Miami, the first U.S. city with locally transmitted cases of the Zika virus, is bracing for the impact this news may have on its economy.

Earlier this week, federal health officials warned people not to travel to one American neighborhood in Florida for fear of catching the infectious disease.

CCTV America’s Nitza Soledad Perez reports.

The buzzing neighborhood of Wynwood is fighting the Zika virus. A week ago, this Miami hot spot was identified by health authorities as ground zero for local transmissions of the mosquito-borne disease. At least 15 people have been infected right in this area.

Miami’s $82 billion tourism industry is nervous. The Centers for Disease Control issued the first Zika travel advisory in the United States, asking pregnant women to avoid this area.

Some foreign visitors are not concerned. One hotel worker said that groups are starting to cancel events including weddings and business conferences. Hotel chains are not releasing figures.

With aerial spraying of insecticide and other mosquito control efforts, businesses hope that Zika will soon disappear, and visitors to this neighborhood can once again wander the streets of the Magic City.