In battling Zika, worst Florida foe was Congress

It appears that the worst of the threat from the Zika virus is over — for now.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott declared Friday: “Our state has no more local transmission of Zika.”

Shortly after, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lifted its strictest advisory urging pregnant women not to travel to the heart of South Beach. They instead suggest caution.

But the last of the four areas in Miami-Dade County identified as Zika hot zones has gone 45 days without two or more reported cases of locally acquired Zika. And that, by any measure, is a huge win for the state, and for Scott.

Though not immune to criticism, Scott deserves kudos for his overall handling of the budding health crisis that bedeviled him and his administration for nearly a year — especially in the face of a slow-moving Congress.

Not to put too fine a point on it: When it came down to protecting Florida residents and tourists from a mosquito, this Congress couldn’t even do that without controversy.

It took eight months after President Barack Obama first asked for $1.9 billion to fight Zika’s spread here and abroad for federal lawmakers to authorize $1.1 billion to fight the mosquito-borne virus. As of Dec. 8, the number of Zika cases reported in Florida grew to 1,244, with 185 of them pregnant women. Zika is particularly dangerous to pregnant women because it can cause severe birth defects.

Early on, Scott asked for and got help from the CDC in the form of Zika antibody tests. He also quickly authorized $26.2 million to shore up the state’s own modest supply of testing kits, and bolster local information and mosquito-spraying efforts.

Arguably, however, Scott risked not getting a handle on the virus’ spread by depending on what The Post Editorial Board labeled “a dysfunctional Congress.” A description Scott eventually came to agree with. But not until after two missions to Washington to lobby a Republican-led House and Senate that poisoned a funding bill with, among other things, a policy rider blocking a ban on displaying the Confederate flag at U.S. military cemeteries.

That said, Scott never relented on how seriously Florida residents and tourists should treat the threat of the virus. Though bumpy at times, he worked closely with South Florida health and tourism officials on disseminating information.

Mosquitoes are no longer actively transmitting the virus in South Florida. It’s the end of the rainy season, and cooler temperatures will make it tougher for the disease-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquito to survive.

The virus is now endemic, however. That means doctors should continue to evaluate all pregnant women; blood banks should continue testing donated blood for Zika contamination; and officials must remain vigilant for local transmissions because isolated cases will continue to pop up — especially among poorer women who can’t afford testing.

We agree with health care advocates that is one key area where Scott, who authorized $61.2 million in emergency state spending, should do better going forward.

But we also agree with CDC Director Tom Frieden, who said, “Florida’s rapid response and comprehensive mosquito control program has allowed them to interrupt Zika transmission, but we must stay vigilant and also take what we have learned and be prepared for next season.”

Lesson learned. Always be prepared to deal with a dysfunctional Congress.