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Senate Passes Zika Funding Measure As Concerns Grow In Florida

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- The Senate passed an amendment that would provide an additional $1.1 billion in emergency funding to fight the Zika virus.

The amendment passed by a vote of 68-29.

The news may come as a relief to locals in Florida - considered the front-line in the Zika fight.

There have been more than 500 travel-related cases in the continental United States with 113 of them from Florida. That's more than any other state.

You're not going get Zika in the woods while you're hunting or at the lake while you're on your boat. You might get it at your front door.

Michael Doyle of the Florida Keys mosquito district suspects Zika cases will rise as summer approaches.  At last check, all Florida Zika patients contracted the virus from travel-related exposure but there is still concern it could come to the mainland and spread quickly.

"While you're standing next to your car to go on your hunting trip or to the beach or to the park that's when the mosquito will fly up and bite you in the ankle," said Doyle. "It's not in those typical places that we as Floridians think of as mosquito-biting territory."

Related: CDC Says  Zika Definitely Causes Severe Birth Defects

In February, the White House asked for approximately $1.9 billion in emergency funding. It's been a cause for debate in Congress.

"We need to deal with this seriously," said Florida Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL). "We're going to spend a lot more money if we don't deal with this on the front end. If this is a serious outbreak, it's not going to cost $1.9 billion. It could cost $4 billion or $5 billion."

Republican Hal Rogers, chairman of the appropriations committee, is a critic of the president's bill.

"The request they sent us would allow the $1.9 billion to be used for anything in the government. It's almost like a slush fund," said Rogers.

"Mosquitoes don't know whether their target is a Democrat or a Republican. Zika impacts all of us," said Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz from Florida.

Related: Expecting Mother, Leaders Voice Concern Over Zika In Florida

She insists part of the money will be used to develop a Zika vaccine and raise awareness in a state that thrives on tourism.

"We are now going into the mosquito season….every week the chances of having enough of them to start transmitting it from travelers to local people, increases," said Doyle.

The Senate and the House will now have to go to conference to merge their respective plans to address the Zika virus.

Experts say we can all do our part in preventing the spread of Zika starting in our own homes. Click here for tips on how to prevent the spread of Zika.

Click here for more information on the Zika virus.

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