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Scott Allocates Millions For Zika Fight
June 24, 2016
Gov. Rick Scott issued an executive order Thursday that pumps $26.2 million into the fight against the mosquito-borne Zika virus, as it appears Congress will wait until after its Fourth of July holiday recess before completing any deal addressing the disease.
Scott directed state Surgeon General Celeste Philip to oversee the spread of the money to county health departments, local mosquito districts and laboratories for training, mosquito surveillance, and the purchase of Zika Prevention Kits from federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“We are in the middle of hot, rainy weather which is when mosquitoes are most prevalent,” Scott said in a press release. “It is clear that allocating this funding is necessary if we are going to stay ahead of the spread of this virus.”
The virus — which commonly results in a fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes — can, if caught during pregnancy, cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly and other fetal brain defects, according to the CDC. Scott added in the release that more than 40 entities have asked for more than $19 million to prepare for the virus.
Scott asked President Barack Obama on June 1 to unilaterally release federal funds to fight Zika. Obama had requested Congress provide $1.9 billion in funding to fight Zika.
The House, which had initially offered $622 million, approved a measure Thursday matching the Senate’s funding proposal of $1.1 billion for the Zika fight. However, some of the House provisions tied to the deal, but unrelated to fighting Zika, did not appear to be acceptable to Democrats and the White House.
One travel-related Zika case has been reported in Escambia County.
by The News Service of Florida
Comments
One Response to “Scott Allocates Millions For Zika Fight”
I was pleasantly surprised and thankful. I contacted mosquito control expected that I would just be a voice to be put on the list for the fogging runs on the route. I have a terrible problem night and day, worse than when I lived in the country on a pond. There is a drainage ditch beyond my yard with a culvert that takes in storm water. They wanted my name and address and said they send someone out to find the SOURCE!! Found an active breeding in the culvert and ditch and treated it with briquettes. I read about it, a larvicide to break the cycle!!! It works. A county service on the North End!!!! So Thankful!!