The first endemic cases of the mosquito-borne Zika virus have now been confirmed in Florida, primarily in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood. We’ll hear from a journalist with Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting and PRX about a recent assignment which took her to Wynwood. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine has approved the experimental release of genetically modified mosquitos in the Florida Keys to help combat the spread of the virus. We’ll learn about Lee County’s own expansive mosquito control efforts. We’ll also talk with a pair of Florida Gulf Coast University virologists testing mosquitos for Zika and working to develop an antiviral treatment.
The virus is of particular concern to pregnant women or women who may become pregnant as Zika infections have been linked to microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects.
Funding to combat Zika is also a growing concern. As the number of confirmed infections continues to grow, Congress has gone on recess without addressing federal funding for combatting the virus. In June, Gov. Rick Scott allocated $26.2 million in state money to combat Zika and has criticized the Obama Administration and Congress for failing to act. We’ll explore Gov. Scott and Florida Surgeon General Celeste Philip’s recent update on the state’s efforts as we take a closer look at Gov. Scott’s own history of reducing state funding for mosquito control and research.
We’ll also explore a pair of recent studies about how the Zika virus and toxic algae blooms fouling waters on Florida’s treasure coast could impact the state’s vital tourism industry.
Guests:
Sharon Isern, Ph.D., Virologist and Professor in FGCU’s Dept. of Biological Sciences
Scott Michael, Ph.D., Virologist and Professor in FGCU’s Dept. of Biological Sciences
Lori Pennington-Gray, Ph.D., Professor and Director of the Tourism Crisis Management Initiative at the University of Florida
Shelly Redovan, Deputy Director of Education and Communication for the Lee County Mosquito Control District
Christine Sexton, Politico Florida reporter, who co-wrote the story "Scott bashes feds over Zika funding, but slashed mosquito control money."
Amy Walters, Reporter/Producer for Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting and PRX
