MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – DHEC notified the county Thursday of a travel-related case of the Zika virus in Horry County.
The map from SC DHEC also confirms one case of travel related Zika in Florence County.
DHEC did specify that the map did not include the Horry County incident because the agency only lists cases of SC residents. In Horry County’s case, the individual resides in another state.
According to Lisa Bourcier of Horry County, the person was known to have been in the Plantation Point area and the county has followed the response plan previously laid out.
That plan includes drawing up a 1,000 foot radius around the area the individual was known to be and going door-to-door providing people with information, completing inspections, eliminating any areas of standing water and utilizing hand-held foggers on properties.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that as of Aug. 24, there were more than 2,517 confirmed cases of Zika virus in the US and Washington DC.
Brad Dean, president and CEO of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, issued the following statement:
“Today we learned that the first confirmed case of the Zika virus has come to our area. We’re thankful this case was not locally generated, but contracted in another state. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the household impacted as we wish them a quick and easy recovery. We’re also thankful for the swift and proactive response of the county along with other local and state government entities who have been preparing for months to be on alert and ready to minimize the impact of Zika in the event the virus showed up in our area. We know they recognize the seriousness of this threat and will continue to be vigilant, not only about this case, but in their efforts to ensure Myrtle Beach residents and visitors are safe and well-informed about all Zika-related issues..”
People with questions can call the county’s road and drainage hotline at (843) 381-8000. The hotline will be open until 8 p.m. tonight and from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday.
