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Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterAugust 11, 2016

Travelers might be worried about Zika, but it isn’t stopping them from traveling to the Sunshine State. The University of Florida’s Tourism Crisis Management Initiative found more than 70 percent of potential visitors are concerned about the mosquito-borne virus. However, the study found about 10 percent of potential visitors have actually changed their travel plans. […]

Jim RosicaAugust 3, 2016

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Gov. Rick Scott announced Wednesday he was ordering free Zika virus testing for pregnant women at county health departments. The news came a day after the Department of Health said a “new non-travel related infection is located outside of the one-square mile area in Miami where the department has identified active transmission is taking place.” The hot zone is located […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 13, 2016

Health officials said they would do the best they can to fight the spread of Zika if the Senate doesn’t approve a $1.1 billion spending plan, but said the money is needed to help agencies slow the proliferation of the disease. The Senate is expected to vote once again on the House-approved spending bill this […]

Keith MorelliJuly 8, 2016

U.S. Rep Vern Buchanan this week added his voice to the chorus urging immediate passage of a $1.1 billion bill to fight the spread of the dreaded Zika virus, and the Sarasota Republican blamed Senate Democrats for the log jam. Democrats this week pointed fingers at the Republicans, saying partisan politics was the reason the […]

Keith MorelliJuly 7, 2016

With 11 new cases of Zika reported in Florida Wednesday — the most yet in a single day — leading congressional Democrats renewed a plea to resurrect a bipartisan $1.1 billion spending bill to fight what they call a silent epidemic that is gaining a foothold in the United States. Florida Sen. Bill Nelson fired off a letter to Senate Majority […]

Keith MorelliJuly 7, 2016

As the number of Zika cases in Florida mounts — 11 new cases were reported Wednesday, including one in Hillsborough County — state health officials have launched a campaign to educate children on the dangers of the virus and enlist their help in stemming the spread of disease-toting mosquitoes. The Florida Department of Health’s “Spill the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 7, 2016

Sen. Bill Nelson is urging Senate leaders to bring back a $1.1 billion proposal that would help fight the spread of Zika. The request comes just one day after the Florida Department of Health announced 11 new cases of Florida, bringing the total number of travel-related cases in the Sunshine State to 263. In a letter Thursday, the Florida […]

Keith MorelliJune 28, 2016

The first case of microcephaly, a birth defect in which babies are born with abnormally small heads and incomplete brain development, has surfaced in Florida. The defect is caused by the Zika virus, which was contracted by the mother while in her native Haiti, authorities said. Officials with the Florida Department of Health confirmed the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 9, 2016

A mosquito trap designed by University of Florida researchers could limit the spread of the Zika virus, but first it needs approval from the federal Environmental Protection Agency. Phil Koehler, a professor in the university’s entomology and nematology department, said researchers have requested an emergency registration permit for the product. If granted, the university would […]

Associated PressMay 31, 2016

The “enormous demand” created by the international Zika epidemic for traps used to monitor mosquitoes that carry the virus caught their German manufacturer off-guard, two company officials said Friday. According to Biogents’ only U.S. distributor, a backlog affects 1,950 traps ordered by governments and private businesses in Florida, Ohio, Kentucky and a few other states. […]

Tag: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Pastel colored tropical townhomes

Zika concerns not stopping travelers from visiting Florida

Rick Scott orders free Zika testing for pregnant women

Marco Rubio says inaction on Zika funding is ‘inexcusable’

Vern Buchanan urges Senate to pass Zika bill, blames Democrats

Congressional Dems renew plea to get Zika funding passed

Latest in Zika battle: Enlist kids to ‘Spill the Water’

Bill Nelson urges Mitch McConnell to bring back Senate’s $1.1B Zika funding proposal

Florida records birth of first baby with Zika-related birth defects

UF seeks approval for device that could help stop spread of Zika

Mosquito trap maker can’t meet demand amid Zika outbreak