Debate Over U.S. Zika Funding Continues; NIH Official Warns Local Outbreaks Likely In Some American Regions

ABC News: White House, Congress Spar Over Funds to Combat Zika Virus
“The political battle over funding to stop the spread of the Zika virus appears to be at a standstill. The nation’s top health officials say they need nearly $2 billion to fight Zika, but the request is stalled in Congress, and now the White House and Republican lawmakers are shuffling the blame across Pennsylvania Avenue…” (Siegel et al., 4/15).

CQ News: Meeting on Zika Urged by House Democratic Appropriators
“House Appropriations Democrats requested Chairman Harold Rogers convene a special meeting on the Obama administration’s $1.9 billion request for an emergency supplemental appropriation to help combat the Zika virus, according to a letter publicized Friday…” (Mejdrich, 4/15).

The Hill: Fauci: Funding from Congress crucial to fight Zika virus
“Dr. Anthony Fauci from the National Institutes of Health on Sunday predicted locally transmitted cases of the Zika virus in the U.S. this summer and urged Congress to authorize more funding to fight it…” (Hellmann, 4/17).

Reuters: Local Zika outbreaks in United States ‘likely’: U.S. official
“…The United States has seen more than 350 cases of people who were infected abroad and then returned to the country but has yet to confirm a case where someone was infected within its borders. That is likely to change, said Fauci…” (Bartz, 4/17).

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