The discovery of Zika virus in Miami Beach has prompted demands for Congress to be recalled early to approve containment measures.
Senator Harry Reid said the discovery of five confirmed cases of Zika in the world-famous beach area is the most alarming development yet and the country cannot afford to wait until the end of the seven-week recess.
US lawmakers went on summer break last month without approving the $1.9 billion Zika fighting fund requested by President Obama.
After the discovery of the cases, health officials issued a travel warning for all of Miami-Dade County to all pregnant women and their partners.
The five newly announced cases included two local Miami residents and three tourists from New York, Texas and Taiwan.
The tourism industry, which posted a record 15.5 million visitors last year, is braced for a short term downturn.
"I think it has obviously a potential impact on tourism in Miami-Dade County," said Carlos Giménez, the county mayor.
"We have got to work very aggressively to eliminate this as quickly as possible."
