Experts Call For More Resources To Combat Zika
(8 Feb 2016) FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus047942 President Barack Obama is asking Congress for more than $1.8 billion in emergency funding to fight the Zika virus and the mosquitoes that spread it here and abroad. The virus is spreading rapidly through Latin America. While most people experience either mild or no symptoms, Zika is suspected of causing a devastating birth defect - babies born with abnormally small heads - and pregnant Americans are urged to avoid travel to affected areas. U.S. health officials say the money is critical for research into that birth defect called microcephaly as well as to speed development of a vaccine and better diagnostic tests, to expand mosquito control programs, and to help Zika-stricken countries and territories. And while experts don't expect large outbreaks in the continental U.S., the emergency funding also would help them prepare for any local transmission as spring and summer approach. The administration is seeking the Zika money separately from the regular budget for the next fiscal year that Obama will submit to Congress on Tuesday. "For the average American, this is not something that will change our day-to-day life," Dr. Anne Schuchat of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told reporters at a White House briefing Monday. "Our focus is on protecting pregnant women and trying to control the mosquito." Most of the money would go to health officials for such things as improving laboratory testing capacity, education and establishing rapid response teams. About $250 million of assistance would be directed specifically to Puerto Rico though extra Medicaid funding for health services, and $200 million would go toward research and commercialization of new vaccines and diagnostic tests. The remainder, about $335 million would go to the U.S. Agency for International Development to help affected countries provide training to health workers, stimulate private sector research and help pregnant women gain access to repellant to protect against mosquitoes. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
