Florida Governor Rick Scott today authorized an additional $10 million in state funds to fight Zika, bringing the total funds now authorized for Zika to $36.2 million.
The $10 million are solely allocated for the battle against Zika, which includes: Mosquito surveillance and abatement; training for mosquito control technicians; enhanced laboratory capacity; and the purchase of CDC Zika Prevention Kits.
Governor Scott said, “This week I met with Congressional members to let them know that the time is up for politics and political debates about a major federal effort to stop Zika and that we need federal action now. Zika is non-partisan and I have been very clear that something had to get done this week. While it doesn’t look like that is going to happen, I will not wait on the federal government to protect Floridians and our visitors.
“Everyone I met with this week believes something needs to get done on Zika. But, nothing has happened. While Washington continues to spend money on wasteful projects every year, they cannot seem to agree on spending for a virus that severely impacts pregnant women and their growing babies. Every year, hundreds of bills come across my desk for approval. They are certainly not all perfect bills. But, my job as Governor is to do what is best for Florida, and I expect the same from Congress. The debate over a perfect bill cannot overshadow the need for immediate Zika funding. While I will keep allocating whatever resources are necessary from the state, I hope federal funding is quickly approved because this is a national issue that reaches beyond our state. Florida is unfortunately just the beginning.”
As of today, Florida has reported 79 locally transmitted cases in Pinellas, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties. 10 cases were confirmed in out-of-state residents.
With the addition of 10 new travel-related cases today including six in Miami-Dade, two in Lee and two in Orange, the total travel associated Zika cases is now 660, including 86 cases involving pregnant women.
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