Health officials: Zika no longer actively spreading in Florida

Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) on Friday announced his state is officially cleared of any active zones of Zika virus transmission, ending a four-month public health threat.

“Florida does not have any identified areas with active Zika transmission, which is incredible news for the Miami Beach community and our entire state,” Scott wrote in a press release.

Miami Beach, a popular tourist destination, was the last remaining region of Florida considered an active zone of transmission for Zika. That final 1.5-mile stretch of the city is now cleared, which Scott said he hopes will reopen the flow of visitors.

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Florida reported its first case of Zika in August, causing national alarm because of the disease’s risk of causing birth defects. At the time, federal health officials issued a travel advisory for pregnant women in areas with active Zika transmission — the first of its kind for the agency.

Since then, Florida has been the front line of the nation’s fight against Zika, as one of only two states in the U.S. where people have been infected by local mosquitoes.

At least 185 people have been infected with Zika through mosquitoes in Florida, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Scott has been a vocal critic of the federal government’s response to fighting the virus, which officials characterize as inaction by Congress for more than a year. In his statement on Friday, he took another dig at the White House.  

“While it is disappointing that the federal government has not been a good partner in providing resources and funding to fight Zika, the State of Florida has been fully committed to doing everything we can to keep our families and visitors safe,” Scott said. “I look forward to having a new partner in the White House who will work with us to combat the Zika virus.”

The CDC has maintained that it met every request from Florida for federal dollars or supplies that were needed.

CDC Director Tom Frieden said while Florida has temporarily halted Zika transmission, people “must stay vigilant” and pregnant women should “continue to be evaluated for Zika exposure.”