Orlando theme parks give free bug spray to ease Zika worries

HEALTH

Orlando theme parks give free bug spray to ease Zika worries

The Associated Press Published Monday, August 29, 2016 12:22PM EDT

This image released by Disney shows fireworks punctuating the sky at the grand opening celebration at the Cinderella Castle for the New Fantasyland attraction at the Walt Disney World Resort's Magic Kingdom theme park in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. on Dec. 6, 2012. (AP/ Gene Duncan)

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ORLANDO, Fla. - Orlando's major theme parks are now offering free bug repellant to visitors as concerns about mosquito-transmitted Zika virus mount in Florida.

Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando on Sunday began offering the mosquito spray and lotion free of charge at their parks.

No mosquito-transmitted case of the Zika virus has been found in central Florida. But theme park officials say they're offering the repellant as a precaution and to ease the fears of visitors.

The Department of Health is investigating mosquito-transmitted Zika cases in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties in South Florida, as well as in Pinellas County in the Tampa area.

Zika causes a mild illness in most people but can lead to severe brain-related birth defects if women are infected during pregnancy.