Florida will be throwing an extra $10 million into the fight against Zika.
Gov. Rick Scott announced the supplemental funding Friday following a trip to Washington, D.C. where federal Zika funding is still at a standstill.
“Zika is non-partisan and I have been very clear that something had to get done this week,” Scott said about his trip to the nation’s Capitol. “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 funding will cover mosquito surveillance and abatement, training for mosquito control technicians, enhanced laboratory capacity and the purchase of CDC Zika prevention kits.
Earlier this summer, Scott allocated over $26 million in state funding to help combat the Zika virus, which has infected nearly 800 people across the state.
The virus has continued to spread across Florida, but is primarily concentrated in the Miami-Dade area, where mosquitoes have transmitted the virus. Parts of Downtown Miami, including Wynwood and Miami Beach, have been designated as areas where local transmission is occurring.
Zika has become one of the most controversial issues facing federal lawmakers. Since February, Republicans and Democrats have disagreed over Zika funding packages, rejecting various proposals along the way.
In July, Congress recessed before passing a measure on Zika.
Congressmen returned to Washington this month to hammer out a budget and a Zika package, but have made little progress, and Scott is not happy about it.
“Everyone I met with this week believes something needs to get done on Zika. But, nothing has happened,” he explained. “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.”
Around 80 percent of those infected with the Zika virus are asymptomatic, but the virus can pose significant problems for pregnant women, as Zika increases the risks for birth defects and microcephaly. Eighty women in various stages of pregnancy have tested positive for the virus, but it’s uncertain how many of those women’s fetuses are suffering birth defects as a result.
Congress has less than three weeks to figure out a solution for Zika funding, a time crunch which has amplified distress over the matter. Democrats refuse to accept Republican versions of the bill due to cuts in Planned Parenthood funding.
The CDC’s funding to fight the virus will run out Sept. 30.
“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.”
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
