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Associated PressMay 4, 2016

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Florida’s governor says the U.S. government needs to prepare for the Zika virus like it’s a hurricane. Forecasts for a hurricane threatening U.S. coasts trigger certain federal response operations. In a statement Wednesday, Gov. Rick Scott says lawmakers and administrators in Washington owe citizens “a vigorous and thorough preparation effort at the federal level” to […]

Associated PressMay 4, 2016

The Florida Department of Agriculture will begin testing mosquitoes for the Zika virus. Commissioner Adam Putnam announced Tuesday that a department laboratory in Kissimmee is now equipped to test for the virus. The same laboratory is used to test for animal diseases. The department is working with mosquito control districts to distribute traps and train […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 26, 2016

The Zika virus may have been present in the Americas well before it was first identified in Brazil. Research by infectious disease specialists at the University of Florida found that the virus was present in Haiti several months before it was identified in Brazil. The virus was present in Haiti in December 2014 and Dr. […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 21, 2016

Sen. Bill Nelson is calling on lawmakers to fully fund President Barack Obama’s request to fight Zika virus. Nelson announced he planned to file legislation to provide the $1.9 billion the president has said is needed to fight the spread of the virus. The Florida senator took to the Senate floor on Thursday to make […]

Scott PowersApril 20, 2016

Florida’s senior U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and other Senate Democrats on Tuesday urged immediate action by Congress to fund efforts to stop the Zika virus and accused Republicans of playing politics with the looming crisis. Nelson, joined by Sens. Chris Murphy of Connecticut and Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, held a national telephone press conference Tuesday at which […]

Guest AuthorApril 14, 2016

Nothing said summer in the old South like the taste of boiled peanuts, the smell of tobacco drying in the barns and a big, ol’ cloud of DDT wafting on the evening breeze. I was one of the mid-century modern barefoot kids running down the dusty North Carolina street behind the mosquito truck. Every night […]

Ryan RayApril 13, 2016

U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham cited Zika virus research from Tallahassee’s Florida State University on the floor of the U.S. House on Tuesday, as she called on Congress to provide increased funding for Zika research and prevention. Graham said Zika “poses a great threat to our country, especially to my home state of Florida.” “There have already been […]

Associated PressMarch 9, 2016

Florida health officials say they’ve confirmed the first case of sexually transmitted Zika virus in the state. Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong‘s office announced Wednesday that two new cases of Zika had been confirmed in Polk County. Officials say one instance was travel-related and, in the other case, the virus was sexually transmitted from […]

Melissa RossFebruary 12, 2016

The Hillary Clinton campaign is calling for quick action in Florida to prepare for the likelihood that the travel-related Zika virus will spread. As recent reports indicate cases of the virus have been found in U.S. metropolitan areas in Florida and Texas, Clinton, in an email urges public health officials in the Sunshine State to […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 5, 2016

Beginning next Monday, Florida Surgeon General John Armstrong will issue a 2 p.m. daily update on the status of the Zika virus in the state. The weekday updates will include a count of CDC-confirmed Zika cases by county and “information to better keep Floridians prepared,” according to a Department of Health news release issued Friday. Miami-Dade County leads the […]

Tag: Zika virus

Rick Scott: Prepare for Zika virus like it’s a hurricane

Florida now ready to test mosquitoes for Zika virus

UF researchers: Zika present in Americas longer than previously thought

Bill Nelson files legislation to provide $1.9B to fight Zika

Bill Nelson and Senate Democrats call for urgent funding of Zika fight

Linda Cunningham: Halting Zika virus creates conundrum in the Keys

Gwen Graham cites FSU Zika research amid call for Congress to act on funding

Florida reports 1st case of sexually transmitted Zika virus

Hillary Clinton calls for quick action to fight Zika virus in Florida

Zika virus spurs daily updates from Florida’s top doc