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New York Health Officials Trying To Stay One Step Ahead Of Zika Virus

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- New York health officials are on high alert following the Zika outbreak in Florida.

Fifteen cases have been confirmed in Miami's Wynwood Arts District and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a travel warning advising pregnant women to avoid that area.

CBS2's Hazel Sanchez reported Gov. Andrew Cuomo headed underground to get to the root of the mosquito-borne Zika virus crisis before it has a chance to plant itself here.

"We've dealt with enough crises to know the best way to deal with crisis is to prevent it and to get ahead of it," Cuomo said.

On any given day, 13 million gallons of water can be found within the city subway system, as tracks could lead to a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.

For the first time at the governor's direction, the state's Department of Health and the MTA will be using larvicide tablets in the subway system to stop the gestation of mosquitoes.

"Where we have standing water, we'll apply the larvicide," Cuomo said.

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This is the most aggressive approach the state has taken to combat mosquitoes in the subway system, but the CDC said its finding some insecticides aren't working.

"That could be because some of the mosquitoes are resistant to those insecticides," CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden said.

New York Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said the larvicide the state is using is effective and safe.

"The larvicide is actually a bacteria, and the bacteria ends up killing the mosquito in its development and it doesn't cause any harm to animals," Zucker said.

The MTA said crews will regularly patrol the tracks to clean drains and prevent standing water.

"I think it's good," said Yolanda Cohen of the Upper West Side. "I think that preventive measures are better than trying to fix something up after it's all done."

More than 500 people have the Zika virus in New York, though no one contracted it in the state.

The governor is encouraging all New Yorkers to do their part to eliminate standing water on their property. The state is also distributing larvicide tablets to any homeowner who requests them.

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