Health News
Rep. Vern Buchanan to host Zika meeting at USF Sarasota-Manatee
Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, will gather a group of seven experts to talk about efforts to combat the Zika virus at 11 a.m. Monday at Selby Auditorium at USF Sarasota-Manatee.
“I arranged this special meeting to make sure that people in our community have the information they need to minimize their exposure and to highlight what the government is doing about this growing health threat,” Buchanan said in a news release Friday.
Panelists will include national and local health experts. Manatee County experts include Health Department administrator Jennifer Bencie, emergency management chief Don Hermey and mosquito control district director Mark Latham.
“We’re looking forward to meeting with his constituents to discuss ways they can reduce their risk of exposure to Zika,” said Dr. Stephen Redd, director of the Centers for Disease Control’s office for public health preparedness and response.
Buchanan was the first Republican lawmaker from Florida to call on congressional leaders to fully fund President Barack Obama’s request for $1.9 billion to fund anti-Zika efforts.
The number of reported Zika cases in Florida is 170, the most in the United States.
“Every day brings more bad news about the potential impact of the mosquito-borne virus,” Buchanan said.
Hannah Morse: 941-745-7055, @mannahhorse
Zika meeting in Sarasota
Who: Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, and seven health experts
What: Zika panel discussion moderated by Buchanan
Where: Selby Auditorium at USF Sarasota Manatee, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, building D103
When: 11 a.m. Monday
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