Florida confirms birth defects after mom gets Zika abroad

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Health officials have confirmed the first Zika-related case of microcephaly in a child born in Florida.

The Florida Department of Health released a statement Tuesday saying the child’s mother contracted the virus outside the U.S. Officials say the mother is a citizen of Haiti who came to Florida to give birth.

Gov. Rick Scott is asking federal health experts to talk with Florida medical professionals about what precautions pregnant women should take.

In a separate statement, Scott says it’s “heartbreaking” to learn about the diagnosis. Last week, Scott used his emergency powers to authorize spending up to $26.2 million to try and stop Zika’s spread.

The mosquito-borne virus is linked to birth defects, including microcephaly, which causes babies to be born with abnormally small heads and incomplete brain development.