ZIKA IN MARYLAND: Maryland officials announced Friday that the state plans to spend about $700,000 to make residents aware of Zika and to prevent the mosquito-borne virus from spreading, reports Ovetta Wiggins for the Post. Gov. Larry Hogan said during a news conference with officials from various state departments, including health, agriculture and transportation, that his administration’s “first and main priority is keeping Marylanders safe,” and that “all levels of government are working together to respond to threats to public health. . . . We’re taking his very seriously.”
- Twelve cases of Zika virus have been identified in Maryland, a top state health official said Friday. The emerging tropical disease can cause serious birth defects, Michael Dresser and Meredith Cohn report for the Sun.
- Here’s Rachel Baye’s report for WYPR-FM.
TRAFFIC FATALITIES INCREASE: The number of traffic fatalities surged across Maryland in 2015, but actually decreased in Washington County, according to preliminary numbers released this week by the Motor Vehicle Administration. Tamela Baker of the Hagerstown Herald Mail reports that the number of fatal crashes rose by 15% statewide, and the number of fatalities rose by 17%.