Florida is officially cleared of active Zika transmission zones, Gov. Rick Scott announced Friday.
Scott made an appearance in South Beach to announce the final area where mosquitoes were actively transmitting the Zika virus has finally been cleared.
"This means that Florida does not have any identified areas with active Zika transmission, which is incredible news for the Miami Beach community and our entire state," Scott said.
The Centers for Disease Control lift a Zika transmission zone after 45 days pass without someone getting the virus in the given area.
The South Beach area of transmission for the mosquito-borne disease stretched throughout a prime area for tourists visiting South Florida. The South Beach transmission zone was the last zone to be lifted since the virus began actively spreading in July.
The governor said he hoped the news would encourage visitors to come back to South Florida. Federal health officials urged tourists to be cautious when heading to South Florida.
The warning was especially strong for pregnant women. 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.
The virus, which is usually asymptomatic but can cause Dengue Fever-like symptoms in some, is transmitted sexually and by mosquito bites.
Last week, Florida Department of Health officials lifted the Little River transmission zone after nearly four months of spraying to fend off the virus.
Scott set aside $36 million in state funds to spray against the virus over the summer but has remained adamant about the federal government stepping in to do its part to ward off Zika.
The work against the virus, Scott said, wouldn’t stop now, though.
“While it is disappointing that the federal government has not been a good partner in providing resources and funding to fight Zika, the State of Florida has been fully committed to doing everything we can to keep our families and visitors safe,” the governor explained.
Scott also took a jab at President Barack Obama and threw his support to President-Elect Donald Trump, who he said he hopes will be more receptive to fighting the virus in the future.
“I look forward to having a new partner in the White House who will work with us to combat the Zika virus,” Scott said.
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.
