On Wednesday, Florida Gov. Rick Scott announced the investigation of a new potential case of locally acquired Zika in Palm Beach County, making it the fourth possible area experiencing local transmission in the state. According to a recent projection by biostatisticians from the University of Florida in Gainesville, the total number of non-travel associated Zika cases in the state could hit 400 by summer's end.
To date, there have been 43 cases of Zika infection reported in Florida not associated with travel. Confirmed local transmission has occurred in the Miami neighborhood of Wynwood and Miami Beach. Possible local transmission is currently under investigation in Pinellas County and Palm Beach County. There have been more than 500 Zika cases associated with international travel reported in the state.
Also on Wednesday, Gov. Rick Scott expressed concern about the support being given to his state by the federal government.
"Last week, I requested that the CDC provide Florida with 5,000 Zika antibody tests, but they have only sent less than 1,200," said Gov. Scott in a statement. We also requested additional lab support personnel to help the state expedite Zika testing and an additional 10,000 Zika prevention kits. It is disappointing that these requests have not been fulfilled."
In a statement, the CDC said, "CDC has and will continue to provide support to Florida to address the Zika outbreak. CDC experts in epidemiology, surveillance, and vector control have been on the ground for weeks supporting the state of Florida's response."
The CDC also said the agency has already shipped material for approximately 2,000 Zika lab tests — a number believed to be sufficient for full capacity testing throughout the state. Upon learning the state needed more testing materials, the CDC shipped enough supplies for Florida to conduct 6,300 Zika tests. The shipment was expected to arrive Thursday.
Gov. Scott also said he has repeatedly called on the Obama Administration "to provide a detailed plan on how Florida should work with FEMA on how federal resources will be allocated to combat this virus."
"I expect the Obama Administration to be a good partner and work quickly to fulfill these requests," added Gov. Scott.
In February, President Barack Obama called for nearly $2 billion in funding to help brace the nation for the arrival of the Zika virus — a neurologically debilitating disease linked to birth defects, most notably microcephaly. A partisan battle ensued. In July, the House passed a $1.1 million dollar measure including provisions that would divert $622.1 million from other programs, including Planned Parenthood. The Senate blocked the bill and the legislative bodies failed to come to an agreement before breaking for a seven-week summer recess. Both the Senate and Congress will reconvene on Sept. 6.
More articles on the Zika virus:
CDC gives $6.8M to public health partners to fight Zika
Johns Hopkins opens world's first multidisciplinary Zika virus center
More than microcephaly — 5 findings on other common brain abnormalities in Zika babies