TALLAHASSEE, FL -- Governor Rick Scott has declared a public health emergency in four Florida counties because of the Zika virus.
The announcement came from the Governor's office on Wednesday. The order covers Miami-Dade, Hillsborough, Lee and Santa Rosa Counties.
The office says nine travel-related cases have been reported in the state and that this initiative is an attempt to stay ahead of the spread of the disease.
"Our Department of Health will continue to be in constant communication with all county health offices, hospitals and the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We know that we must be prepared for the worst even as we hope for the best," said Governor Scott.
This order will also allow the Department of Health to decide if more resources and information is needed from the CDC to help combat Zika.
