Florida Allots $10 Million to Battle Zika as Federal Funding Stalls

TALLAHASSEE, FL — With 823 confirmed Zika virus cases, including 77 locally transmitted infections, Florida can wait no longer for Congress to act on a $1.1 billion funding package. That was Gov. Rick Scott’s contention Friday in announcing a new $10 million allocation from the state to combat Zika’s spread.

The money adds to the $26.2 million Scott already allocated through an emergency executive order back in June. The new funds will be used as needed “solely for the purpose of Zika preparedness,” the governor’s office said.

Scott traveled to Washington, D.C., earlier this week to urge Congress to pass a $1.1 billion package meant to help stop the spread of the virus across the county. That package has been bogged down in partisan wrangling since before Congress went on its summer break in July. An attempt to push the measure through after Congress reconvened Sept. 6 failed. At issue are riders Republicans have added to the package that would cut funding for Planned Parenthood in Puerto Rico and another that would reverse a ban on Confederate flags at federal cemeteries.

“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,” Scott said in a Friday statement. “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.”

The new $10 million state allocation will be used for four specific purposes:

• Mosquito surveillance and control
• Mosquito control technician training
• Expanding laboratory capacity
• To purchase Zika prevention kits

“The debate over a perfect bill cannot overshadow the need for immediate Zika funding,” Scott said. “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.”

Earlier this year, President Obama pitched a $1.9 billion emergency funding package to help fight the spread of the Zika virus in the United States. While that proposal received some support from both Democrats and Republicans, the issue ultimately became bogged down in Congress. The $1.1 billion funding package that has been defeated several times since summer began ultimately replaced Obama’s proposal. Just how soon Congress might take the issue up again remains unclear.

Zika is a mosquito-borne illness that presents with a fever, joint pain and rash. The illness typically goes away within a week, but some cases may require hospitalization. Zika may also be spread through sexual contact, health officials say.

The CDC has confirmed that the Zika virus is responsible for causing severe defects in unborn children, including microcephaly, which leaves babies with abnormally small heads and often with brains that do not develop properly.

As of Thursday, Sept. 15, the confirmed Zika cases in the state of Florida were as follows:

• Travel-related infections – 650
• Non-travel related infections – 77
• Infections involving pregnant women – 86
• Out of state cases (not Florida residents) – 10

To help residents resolve questions about the virus and its spread, the state of Florida has set up a Zika Virus Information Hotline at 1-855-622-6735. More information may also be found on the Florida Department of Health website.

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