WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — In recent weeks, fears of the virus’ spread has risen as the World Health Organization declared a global emergency amid the rapid advance of Zika in the Americas, Caribbean and Pacific.
"Today I am directing Surgeon General Dr. John Armstrong to declare a public health emergency in the four counties that have individuals with the Zika virus," Scott said in a statement on Wednesday.
Nine travel-related cases of the Zika virus have been reported in the counties of Miami-Dade, Hillsborough, Lee and Santa Rosa Counties. Officials said they believe the virus in these cases was contracted outside of Florida.
To date, there is no known vaccine to treat the Zika virus, which is thought to pose the greatest risk to unborn fetuses as it is suspected of causing severe brain damage in newborns known as microcephaly.