Gov. Scott approves another $10m for Zika fight

Gov. Rick Scott on Friday authorized spending an additional $10 million in state money to help battle the Zika virus, as Congress remains deadlocked about federal funding for the issue.

Scott in June used emergency powers to authorize $26.2 million in state funding, but the number of cases of the mosquito-borne virus has sharply grown and totaled 823 in Florida as of Thursday, according to the state Department of Health.

Scott's office said the state money will be spent "as needed" on issues such as mosquito abatement, training for mosquito-control workers and the purchase of Zika prevention kits.

President Barack Obama early this year proposed spending $1.9 billion to combat Zika, but Congress has not been able to reach agreement on a funding plan.

The virus is particularly dangerous to pregnant women because it can cause severe birth defects.

Cox Media Group