Gov. Rick Scott will head to Miami Friday where he is expected to lift the Zika virus infection warning zone over Miami Beach, ending a tumultuous time in the Miami-Dade area.
The Miami Herald reported Thursday the zone is expected to be lifted at a press conference Friday morning. On Thursday afternoon, the governor’s office sent out a press release that Scott will appear at the Betsy Hotel in South Beach to make the announcement.
The current area of transmission for the mosquito-borne disease stretches throughout South Beach, a prime area for tourists visiting South Florida. The South Beach transmission zone is the last zone to be lifted since the virus began actively spreading in July.
The Centers for Disease Control lift a Zika transmission zone after 45 days pass without someone getting the virus in the given area.
Last week, Florida Department of Health officials lifted the Little River transmission zone after nearly four months of spraying to fend off the virus.
The virus, which is usually asymptomatic but can cause Dengue Fever-like symptoms in some, is transmitted sexually and by mosquito bites. Zika can also be harmful to pregnant women, whose fetuses can develop birth defects like microcephaly, a condition where the baby’s head is much smaller than a regular baby’s.
Zika hasn’t been limited to just South Florida. Hundreds of cases of the virus spread throughout the state during the summer but the virus primarily thrived in South Florida.
The Miami-Dade region suffered the most, however, when it came to tourism. The CDC warned pregnant women to avoid the area until it was clear of the virus. Hotels, restaurants and local attractions in the Miami-Dade area were connected with state departments for Zika prevention and education while the virus was spreading.
Gov. Scott took matters into his own hands when it came to fighting Zika, dedicating $36 million in state funds to help prevent and eradicate the virus in the Sunshine State.
Congress haggled over a spending package to fund Zika prevention, only adding to the drama over the summer. A package was not worked out until shortly before lawmakers recessed in October.
Despite throwing in millions of dollars to fund the effort, Scott still has remained unhappy with the federal government’s response to the virus.
Last week, Scott requested 10,000 Zika prevention kits as well as a detailed plan on how Florida officials should work with FEMA regarding the virus. It’s likely the governor will continue to push President Barack Obama’s administration when he makes the announcement Friday.
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
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