Health Officials Confirm First Cases Of Zika In Continental US Caused By Local Transmission.

reported that Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) confirmed on Friday that four recent Zika infections in the state were caused by mosquitoes infected with the virus, not by travel to a Zika-affected area or through sexual transmission. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr. Tom Frieden, “These are the first cases of locally transmitted Zika virus in the continental United States. As we have anticipated, Zika is now here.” Frieden added that the CDC did not “expect widespread transmission in the continental United States,” but said that if people continued to become infected despite mosquito control effects, “this would be concerning and warrant further advice and action.” reported that Dr. Frieden said “there may well be more cases that we’re not aware of right now because most people infected with Zika don’t have symptoms.” CDC spokesperson Tom Skinner said the CDC is “scrambling to come up with money” to help equip states to prepare for Zika outbreaks. According to CDC spokesperson Benjamin Hayes, Florida currently has approximately $12 million in its own funds and funding from the CDC to combat the spread of Zika. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-29/florida-says-zika-cases-likely-transmitted-locally-in-u-s-first