Gov. Rick Scott Says Zika Should Be Treated Like A Hurricane As Number Of Cases Surge

Florida Gov. Rick Scott revealed his plans to travel to Washington to demand for a deal that could hopefully solve the increasing number of Zika virus cases. He expressed concern that the virus could infect more in the coming days and weeks.

Zika Virus Should Be Deemed Like A 'Hurricane'

According to CBS Miami, Scott said that the Zika virus epidemic should be dealt with and treated like a "hurricane" since it threatens the lives of many Americans especially pregnant women and the children they are conceiving. The governor highlighted that there were more people infected in his hometown this month.

"Florida has now had more than 100 documented cases of the Zika virus," Scott said in the CBS Miami report. "We are now headed into summer, when heat and rainfall cause our mosquito population to grow. Simultaneously, the Olympic games in Brazil will heavily increase travel to a country where the Zika virus is spreading rapidly."

Preparation For A Zika Virus Outbreak

Miami Herald added that Scott is getting more concerned with the uncertainty posed by the virus to the community. He explained that leaders should lead their communities to better prepare for this disease to lower Zika virus cases in the country.

"We owe our citizens a vigorous and thorough preparation effort at the federal level to best protect their health," Scott said. Florida Health Department's interim surgeon general Dr. Celeste Philip has declared an emergency on the spread of the virus in the state.

More Initiatives To Battle Zika

Gov. Scott has also met with him and discussed his suggestion about the additional testing kits for Zika. The efforts in Florida are congruent to President Barack Obama's plan of combatting Zika using a $1.9 billion emergency fund for immediate costs and other needs in fighting the virus.

As cases of Zika spread in the United States, NBC News said the country seems not prepared enough for the virus. It explained that since the details of the funding are still being ironed out, the government should first address how to get rid of Zika-carrying mosquitoes.