Scott Urges Feds To "Show Up & Do Their Job" In Zika Fight
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Florida Governor Rick Scott is putting pressure on the federal government to do more in the fight against what is being considered a public health crisis - Zika.
"The federal government needs to show up and do their job," said Scott during a press conference on Monday.
Last week, Scott called on President Barack Obama to do more to combat the virus in Florida after Congress decided to recess without coming up with an agreement on funding to help prevent the spread of the virus.
"It is frustrating that Congress went on vacation," said Scott. "We are getting ready for Zika, the feds should have done their part."
Related: CDC Says Zika Definitely Causes Severe Birth Defects
Obama is pushing for $1.9 billion in emergency supplemental funding to pay for research and treatment of the virus. Meantime, the House has a $622.1 million funding measure and the Senate is pushing for a $1.1 billion proposal.
During this feverish political fight for funding, health officials from local to federal gathered Monday to talk about the virus in Florida - considered the front-line in the fight.
U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz moderated a stakeholders meeting between the health officials at Nova Southeastern University. They covered Zika topics facing the nation and the state of Florida's response to the virus.
"This appears to be a far more deeply concerning oncoming crises than even I was aware and I've been very involved in this," Wasserman Schultz told CBS4's Tiani Jones.
Health officials with the state of Florida were notably not present.
"We did ask repeatedly, multiple phone calls, and were told they were unable to make anybody available," said Wasserman Schultz.
At last check, Florida had 166 confirmed cases of the Zika virus which is contracted through mosquitoes or through sexual contact. All of the cases are travel-associated and were not contracted locally.
Funding was also a major part of the discussion.
"Robbing Peter to pay Paul is going to result in more babies with birth defects more, more people contracting Zika, more trouble than we can possibly wrap our minds around right now," said Wasserman Schultz referring to the link between the Zika virus and birth defects.
WHO: Sexual Transmission Of Zika More Common, New Guide Released
Amid fears the virus could soon make its way to the continental United States, experts say we can all do our part in preventing the spread starting in our own homes. Click here for tips on how to prevent the spread of Zika.
Click here for more information on the Zika virus.