WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 (UPI) — President Barack Obama on Monday is expected to propose spending more than $1.8 billion in emergency funding to combat the Zika virus in the United States and internationally.
The Obama administration’s request to Congress will “enhance our ongoing efforts to prepare for and respond to the Zika virus” ahead of the spring and summer months, when mosquito populations are larger and more active.
At least 26 countries and territories in North and South America have reported local Zika virus transmission.
“While we have not yet seen transmission of the Zika virus by mosquitoes within the continental United States, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories, warmer areas with Aedes aegpyti mosquito populations are already seeing active transmission,” the White House said in a statement.
“In addition, some Americans have returned to the continental U.S. from affected countries in South America, Central America, the Caribbean and the Pacific Islands with Zika infections.”
At least 50 cases of Zika infections have been confirmed in U.S. travelers from December through Friday. The White House hopes to use the new funds to expand mosquito control programs; accelerate vaccine research and diagnostic development; and educate healthcare providers, pregnant women and their partners
The Obama administration also hopes to provide improved health services and support to low-income pregnant women, as well as to enhance the ability of Zika-affected countries to combat mosquitoes and ctonrol transmission.
“There is much that we do not yet know about Zika and its relationship to the poor health outcomes that are being reported in Zika-affected areas,” the White House adds. “We must work aggressively to investigate these outbreaks, and mitigate, to the best extent possible, the spread of the virus.”
