TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Florida Gov. Rick Scott says the state will experience a Zika disaster if federal authorities don't immediately provide money to help battle the virus.
Scott sent a letter to President Barack Obama on Wednesday. He said officials are trying to ensure that mosquitoes in Florida don't start transmitting the virus. To do that, he said the state needs money to buy insecticides and spraying equipment.
Congress has been divided on how much money to set aside to battle Zika.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest says the administration has seen the letter and that Obama hopes "Republicans in Congress will finally get the message" and approve additional funding.
Florida has one of the highest numbers of residents who caught the virus while traveling outside the country.
Seven Zika cases are in Southwest Florida, five in Lee County and two in Collier County.
