Florida governor Rick Scott has slammed the government for its lax approach in combating the spread of the Zika virus in the Sunshine State, but he maintains the region is safe to visit.
The Wynwood neighbourhood in Miami became the first US mainland site where the virus has been transmitted, so far infecting 16 people.
Gov. Scott said it had been left to state health authorities to firstly identify the cases and manage the situation.
Speaking on NBC’s ‘Meet the Press’ Scott criticised the US administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for not getting involved quicker.
"We still need the federal government to show up. The President and Congress have to work together. This is a national, international issue. It’s not just a Florida issue," Scott said.
Scott said he asked CDC director Thomas Frieden last week for an additional 10,000 Zika preparedness kits.
President Obama appealed to Congress last week to release more money to fight the spread of the virus, saying current funding is running out.
A few days ago Gov. Scott moved to assure travellers that they have nothing to fear during a vacation in the Sunshine State, saying Florida is a ‘safe state’.
Industry analysts Atmosphere Research Group said: "If Florida is able to address this efficiently and quickly and be able to pronounce with confidence that they’ve been able to eradicate, there won’t be long-term consequences.
"If Zika remains a long-term challenge, it’s possible some potential tourists might think twice," it said.
