DOH confirms first Zika-related case of microcephaly in Florida

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health announced Tuesday the first confirmed case of microcephaly in an infant born in Florida, whose mother had a travel-related case of Zika.

“Now that a baby has been born in our state with adverse impacts from Zika, it is clear that every available resource is needed to prevent local transmissions in our state,” Gov. Rick Scott said.

The baby’s mother contracted Zika while in Haiti, officials said.

“Following this news, I have requested the CDC to immediately host a call with Florida health care professionals to discuss the neurological impacts of Zika and how this virus impacts new and expecting moms. The Olympics will begin in less than 40 days and millions of Americans will travel through our state to and from Brazil, a country where the Zika virus is rapidly spreading, and we must be prepared,” Scott said.

The Florida Department of Health is working with the family to connect the child to services through the Early Steps program.

“It is heartbreaking to learn that a baby has been born with Zika-related microcephaly in our state, and my thoughts and prayers are with the mother and child,” said Scott.

Scott pointed out in a release, that last week Washington did not approve of funding for Zika preparedness.

“I used my emergency executive authority to allocate $26.2 million in state funds for Zika preparedness, prevention and response in Florida. While these funds will be incredibly useful in our fight against the Zika virus, Washington must also recognize that Zika is not just a Florida issue, but a national emergency. Florida has continued to step-up and fund issues when the federal government has failed to show up and Washington has to stop playing politics with the health, safety and well-being of Florida’s families,” Scott said.

See the Department of Health's announcement HERE.

Cox Media Group