Scott Seeks Federal Help With Zika Virus

February 5, 2016

With a public-health emergency declared in a fifth Florida county, Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday asked the federal Centers for Disease Control for assistance in addressing the potential spread of the Zika virus.

Scott’s office said Florida currently has the capacity to test only 475 people for the mosquito-borne virus, which was detected last year in Brazil and has spread to other countries. Scott asked the CDC for at least 1,000 Zika “antibody tests,” which his office said would help with testing people who have traveled to affected areas and show signs of the illness.

Also, Scott wants the CDC to conduct a conference call to help train Florida hospital workers about the virus.

Scott on Wednesday declared public health emergencies in four counties where nine cases of the Zika virus had been found. The declaration was for Miami-Dade, Hillsborough, Lee and Santa Rosa counties, with Scott’s office saying the virus was contracted outside Florida.

On Thursday, a public health emergency was declared in Broward County, where a case was found. Also, two additional cases were found in Miami-Dade and Hillsborough counties.

by The News Service of Florida

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News