U.S. Lawmakers Call On Obama Administration To Establish Zika Virus Response Plan As Outbreak Becomes Presidential Campaign Issue

The Hill: Dems press Obama on plan for Zika
“…All 44 [Senate] Democrats, as well as Independent Sens. Bernie Sanders (Vt.) and Angus King (Maine), sent a letter to Obama, saying the administration needs to come up with a ‘coordinated interagency response plan’…” (Carney, 2/5).

The Hill: Abortion-rights group pushes GOP candidates on Zika virus
“…Ilyse Hogue, the president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, sent a letter to Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, and Donald Trump, who are all running for president, asking that they at least temporarily ‘support universal contraceptive coverage’ until the country has a better understanding of the Zika virus…” (Carney, 2/5).

Reuters: Republican U.S. presidential hopefuls say Zika quarantine may be needed
“Two Republican U.S. presidential hopefuls said on Saturday they would implement quarantines of travelers if necessary to stop the spread of the Zika virus. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who garnered international attention in 2014 when he quarantined a nurse who returned to the United States after treating Ebola patients, said he would not hesitate to do it again. … Ben Carson, a retired neurosurgeon, said using a quarantine is ‘not a simple issue’ but if there was evidence that Zika infection is spreading, he too would utilize a quarantine…” (Gibson, 2/7).

Roll Call: As Zika Virus Reaches D.C., Congress Calls for Action
“As the Zika virus reaches the United States and the nation’s capital, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are calling for an urgent response to prevent its spread, and are scheduling briefings and committee hearings to address it…” (Bowman, 2/5).

Scientific American: Why We Shouldn’t Quarantine Travelers Because of Zika
“…There is no evidence that individuals who have acquired Zika abroad are causing transmission of the virus within the U.S., and isolating people with Zika symptoms in the U.S. would be impractical and unnecessary, according to a number of infectious disease experts contacted by Scientific American…” (Maron, 2/7).

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