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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Rick Scott says the state will experience a Zika disaster if federal authorities don’t immediately provide money to help battle the virus.
Scott sent a letter to President Barack Obama on Wednesday. He said officials are trying to ensure that mosquitoes in Florida don’t start transmitting the virus. To do that, he said the state needs money to buy insecticides and spraying equipment.
Florida has one of the highest numbers of residents who caught the virus while traveling outside the country.
Congress has been divided on how much money to set aside to battle Zika.
Adding urgency to Scott’s request: Health officials announced Wednesday that a tourist contracted dengue fever in Key West. The mosquitoes that carry dengue also transmit Zika and other viruses.