Puerto Rico—a U-S territory—has reported its first Zika-related death, and a Florida Senator says it won’t be the last if Congress does not start taking the mosquito-borne disease seriously. Democratic U.S. Senator Bill Nelson made similar remarks Thursday on the floor when he tried to call his bill up for a vote. It would have provided $1.9 billion in funding to help combat the disease—championed by President Obama. But, Congress hasn’t taken it up.
“Puerto Ricans…it is estimated that 20 percent of the population is infected…And, so, is it any wonder that I join with the Minority Leader in begging for this emergency appropriation of 1.9 billion,” Nelson said, at the time.
More than 600 Puerto Ricans have the virus. With two new cases reported Friday, Florida now has 96 Zika cases.
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