Great Britain tells citizens to reconsider trips to Florida

GREAT BRITAIN — Great Britain has issued a travel advisory to anyone planning a trip to Florida, citing the growing number of Zika virus infections in the state.

The advisory was issued Friday after confirmation of four cases of locally transmitted Zika infections in Miami-Dade County.

The British government advised travelers, especially women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant to “discuss your travel plans with your health care provider” before visiting Florida.

According to the advisory, about 3.8 million British nationals visit the U.S. every year, and nearly half of them come to Florida.

Tourists from Great Britain make up the second-largest group of international visitors to Florida, according to information from Visit Florida.

Canada is first, with 3.8 million in 2015, and Brazil is third, with 1.4 million, data shows.

Travel-related Zika infections in Florida make up 19 percent of those confirmed in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

Florida has 307 infections, the second-largest number in the U.S. New York is first, with 449, the CDC said.

Florida is the only state that has confirmed locally transmitted cases of Zika virus infections.

Cox Media Group