As local transmission of the Zika virus continues in Florida, activity in the federal government response has increased.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention added Miami Beach to the list of areas with local, mosquito-transmitted Zika virus. The agency recommends pregnant women avoid the designated area, as well as the previously designated Wynwood neighborhood, and to see their doctor to be tested for Zika virus.

The CDC also updated its interim guidance for the evaluation and management of infants with possible congenital Zika virus infection. The revised guidance updates recommendations for the initial evaluation and testing of infants born to mothers with laboratory evidence of possible Zika virus infection during pregnancy. It also includes recommendations for the management, referral and follow-up of infants with laboratory evidence of congenital Zika virus infection.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced this morning an award of $2.6 million for the development of a rapid, high-capacity Zika test for laboratory diagnostics. The agreement is with DiaSorin Group, an Italy-based company with U.S. offices in Stillwater, Minn., to further develop a Zika virus test that may help physicians determine more quickly whether a patient is infected. The system can test 120 samples at once and provide results in one hour.

Locally, the N. J. Department of Health announced last week that 97 cases of Zika virus have been reported in the state, all coming from travel-related transmission. The DOH will continue to update providers and public health officials through monthly phone communications, including the next call Sept. 12, along with its Zika web page.