Biosecurity

Florida Governor Demands More Funds To Battle Zika

The Zika virus, which has become active in the Miami, Florida area, is most often transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes, and has the potential to spread rapidly. US government officials are taking this threat seriously by actively spraying to destroy mosquitoes and their breeding areas, as well as encouraging the public to take preventative measures. Although the number of Zika cases continue to grow, funding toward preventative efforts has been slow, and may be too little too late.

The symptoms of the Zika virus are often mild, but can be devastating for pregnant women. Zika has been linked to birth defects, including a rare congenital condition called microcephaly in which infants are born with abnormally small heads and incomplete brain development. No vaccine is currently available to prevent the virus.

The federal response to Zika kicked off in February 2016 with the Zika Virus: Department of Homeland Security Response plan, which called for close monitoring of signs of the illness at and between ports of entry, cooperation between government agencies, enhanced protection at detention facilities, and workforce education on the virus.