Warning! Zika Spreads Across Florida as Our Pathetic Congress Does Nothing (Video)

On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed Congress’ worst nightmare: U.S. mosquitoes are carrying and spreading the Zika virus.

Up until now, the thousands of Zika cases in the U.S. were contracted in other countries. But the CDC say the four people tested positive for Zika were said to have contracted the virus from mosquitoes in a neighborhood just north of downtown Miami. Three days later, the number of Miami cases linked to local mosquitoes has jumped to 14.

“I have requested that the CDC activate their Emergency Response Team to assist [the Florida Department of Health] in their investigation, research and sample collection efforts,” said Florida Gov. Rick Scott in a Monday press release. Scott said the infected people were identified through door-to-door community outreach this weekend. Six of the 10 people has no had no symptoms associated with the virus, and Scott was quick to subdue any immediate panic.

“Florida has a proven track record of success when it comes to managing similar mosquito-borne viruses,” he added. “While I encourage all residents and visitors to continue to use precaution, Florida remains safe and open for business.”

The CDC didn’t take any chances, however, and issued a warning to all women who have visited the Miami neighborhood since mid-June recommending they avoid getting pregnant for at least eight weeks. CDC official Tim Skinner told USA Today that this may be the first time the agency has advised people to avoid an area within the continental U.S.

Zika is most threatening to pregnant women, since the virus has been responsible for severe birth defects in thousands of newborn babies across South and Central America. But 80 percent of people who contract the disease actually show symptoms.

“For women who live or work in the impacted area and are either pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, I urge you to contact your OB/GYN for guidance and to receive a Zika prevention kit,” Gov. Scott advised.

News of the first homegrown cases comes during the seven-week summer vacation by Congress, which gaveled out of session before lawmakers could agree on a Zika funding package. It’s now been five months since President Obama requested $1.9 billion in funds to fight the virus, but partisan bickering over how to finance the spending package have quashed all hope of bill’s passing.

On Friday, Democratic lawmakers called for Congress to cut its recess short to pass the contested bill.

Gov. Scott, a Republican, has pushed Congress to pass the long-debated Zika bill for months, and wrote a letter to President Obama in June expressing his discontent.

“The fact that Congress has not taken immediate action to protect our nation before hurricane season began…is profoundly disappointing,” said Scott in his letter. “However…I cannot waste any time on disappointment. Florida needs action from the federal government now.”

The CDC said it will send at least six more officials to Florida in hopes of containing the outbreak.

Source ThinkProgress.com

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