The end of summer could see up to 400 Zika infections in Florida and a handful of new cases across the Southeastern United States, according to projections by biostatisticians at University of Florida and other institutions.
The virus will also likely spread to other states including Texas, South Carolina and Oklahoma.
"It wasn’t clear at first whether mosquito densities were high enough to sustain an outbreak in the US," a statement from Dr. Ira Longini, of the University of Florida said.
A predictive model estimates 395 Zika cases and 79 symptomatic cases in the Sunshine State by September 15.
By the end of summer a small number of cases are also predicted in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas.
The confirmed Zika count has risen to 41 in South Florida which includes the first infection in the Tampa Bay area.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott says it is too early to confirm if there is a new active Zika transmission zone in Tampa Bay.
"While this investigation is ongoing, DOH still believes that ongoing active transmissions are only occurring in the two previously identified areas in Wynwood and Miami Beach," Scott said in a statement.
