Gov. Rick Scott adresses first baby born in Florida with Zika-related defect

Governor Rick Scott visited Florida Tuesday, hours after health officials announced a woman from out of the country had given birth to a baby with a Zika-related birth defect - the first case in the state.

Health officials said the baby’s mother is a citizen from Haiti who came to Florida to give birth.

“This is a significant issue, but it's clearly an issue that if we do the right thing, we can control Zika,” Scott said. "The family that has the child with Microcephaly, our heart goes out to them."

Scott stopped through Jacksonville as part of his state-wide tour to fight the Zika Virus. He participated in a roundtable discussion with Mayor Lenny Curry and other community leaders.

Pregnant women with Zika can deliver children with Microcephaly, a defect that causes them to have small heads and incomplete brain development.

“There is no vaccine to prevent Zika, nor are there any medications for treating the infection,” said Dr. William Cody.

Cody said many women put themselves at risk when they travel to affected countries.

That’s why he advises patients to stay put if you’re pregnant or want to be.

“If someone has gone without knowing that there was a risk and then comes back and tells me that they have been to a certain area, if they’re not pregnant at the time, we would advise that person to avoid a pregnancy for at least 8 weeks,” said Cody.

The Center for Disease Control said so far there have been 187 Zika cases in Florida, not involving pregnant women.

Two of those are in Duval County.

Trending on ActionNewsJax.com:

• Woman slams into pedestrian, drives a mile with man wedged in windshield, police say
• Texas mom kills daughters: 5 new developments in the case
• Photos: Man in fedora, bandages robs Jacksonville bank
• Dad imitates daughter's 'sexy selfies' instead of telling her to stop
• Search continues for suspect who shot man outside work in Jacksonville

Cox Media Group