Florida Gorvernor declares state of emergency with Zika virus outbreak

''At present, the most important protective measures are the control of mosquito populations and the prevention of mosquito bites in at-risk individuals, especially pregnant women.''

Florida Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency after nine cases were diagnosed from people who travelled to Zika-dense regions.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The state of emergency affects Tampa Bay, south and southwest Florida and Santa Rosa County. Luckily, each case is believed to be contracted outside the United States.

Independent reported Governor Scott released this statement on Wednesday: "Although Florida's current nine Zika cases were travel-related, we have to ensure Florida is prepared and stays ahead of the spread of the Zika virus in our state. 

"Our Department of Health will continue to be in constant communication with all county health offices, hospitals and the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We know that we must be prepared for the worst even as we hope for the best."

Zika is not to be taken lightly, particularly in pregnant women. 

The CDC reported symptoms often include fevers, rashes, joint pain, red eyes, muscle pain and headaches.

Unfortunately, when pregnant women contract Zika, their child can sometimes get it as well during or after the birthing process - regardless of cesarean or vaginal birth.

Microcephaly, a birth defect where the skull stops growing, results in brain damage in infants and is a result of Zika.

Mosquitos are the number one method of spreading Zika, though Texas recently reported it can be sexually transmitted.

On Monday, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a worldwide health emergency.

Margaret Chan, the WHO director general, released a statement following the declaration:

"A coordinated international response is needed to improve surveillance, the detection of infections, congenital malformations, and neurological complications, to intensify the control of mosquito populations, and to expedite the development of diagnostic tests and vaccines to protect people at risk, especially during pregnancy."

Chan added that the committee was unable to discover "public health justification" to restrict travel or trade as methods of preventing Zika outbreaks.

"At present, the most important protective measures are the control of mosquito populations and the prevention of mosquito bites in at-risk individuals, especially pregnant women."

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