News

Actions

Gov. Rick Scott in Palm Beach County for Zika meeting

Posted at 8:27 AM, Jun 28, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-28 19:55:52-04

Gov. Rick Scott held a roundtable meeting Tuesday in Palm Beach County regarding the Zika virus.

The meeting took place at the Palm Beach County Health Department and included health and community leaders.

As the meeting was getting underway the Florida Department of Health announced the first confirmed case of microcephaly in an infant born in Florida whose mother had a travel-related case of Zika. 

"This is not just a Florida issue, this is a national emergency," said Governor Scott. 

Gov. Scott called it heartbreaking and wants the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to host a call with state healthcare professionals to discuss the impact of the cirus on new & expecting mothers.

RELATED: More Zika coverage | MAP: Cases by Florida county

There are more than 200 confirmed Zika cases in Florida.

The county's supervisor of mosquito control says when it comes to Zika, it's what you do that will make the biggest difference.

"This is a problem that could be easily handled by the residents themselves," said Gary Goode, the supervisor of Palm Beach County Mosquito Control.

To keep mosquitos away, he says there are three important things you should do: cover your skin, use repellent and get rid of standing water.

"This is a mosquito that relies on man made containers for its existence," explained Goode. "So, if you get rid of the container you get rid of the mosquito."

The funding to battle the Zika virus is facing an uphill battle.

The U.S. House of Representatives last week approved the Republican plan providing more than a billion dollars to fight Zika. However the proposal drew a veto threat from the White House.

A Senate procedural vote is expected Tuesday on the Republican plan

Currently there are still no cases of Zika contracted in the United States. All cases are travel related.