Following the confirmation of five locally transmitted Zika cases in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) said on Friday that it was “imperative” for Congress to act to ensure that work being done by the federal, state and local governments continues without interruption.
“Wynwood, the first neighborhood with cases of locally transmitted Zika, has experienced a dramatic decrease in business, and the cases in Miami Beach, a top tourist destination in the state of Florida, will no doubt have similar negative impacts on our economy,” Curbelo said. “In addition to being a serious public health crisis, the spread of Zika threatens Florida’s hard working families and small businesses.”
Curbelo hosted a roundtable discussion at his Miami District office with local stakeholders on Thursday to address Zika response efforts in Miami-Dade County and elsewhere in Florida’s 26th congressional district.
“As legislators, we must do everything in our power to protect Americans from the Zika virus, which is why funding the Zika response effort should be Congress’ top priority,” Curbelo said. “Reports today coming from Miami Beach suggest that Zika may now be spreading in the area. The number of cases in Miami-Dade County also continues to grow. (Thursday’s) roundtable was an excellent opportunity to bring together local stakeholders and health experts to discuss the current situation and raise awareness as children and families prepare to begin the new school year. I will continue working with Republicans and Democrats in Congress to make sure we can adequately respond to this threat to public health and to our economy here in South Florida and throughout the country.”