Obama Asks for $1.8 Billion Emergency Fund to Combat Zika Virus

Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa are likely to have widespread transmission of Zika because they are home to large populations of the mosquito species considered the primary “vector” for spreading the virus. “A lot of people get it and don’t even know that they have it”, Obama said in a CBS interview that aired on Monday.

Most of the money would be spent in the United States on testing, surveillance and response in affected areas, and on research into a vaccine, with some funds also going to help countries grappling with the virus, the White House said on Monday.

The money would help affected countries in South America, Central America and the Caribbean provide training to health care workers, stimulate private sector research and help pregnant women gain access to repellant to protect against mosquitoes. The World Health Organisation has declared a global medical emergency to combat Zika and individual countries and regions are beginning to mobilise.

Obama’s request to Congress came as the White House was trying to strike a balance between being responsive to the outbreak and not provoking alarm. However, health officials are investigating whether the virus is linked to a birth defect – babies born with abnormally small heads, which is associated with incomplete brain development – and have advised pregnant Americans to avoid travel to affected areas. Officials say the country needs to be ready to stop the spread of Zika when winter ends in the United States and mosquito populations become active. Researchers have identified evidence of Zika infection in 17 of these cases, either in the baby or in the mother, but have not confirmed that Zika can cause microcephaly.

The CDC announced today that it moved its emergency operations center (EOC) to level 1-its highest activation status-to speed up preparedness and expert involvement ahead of expected Zika virus transmission in the continental United States.

Last week, U.S. Rep Chris Stewart, R-Utah, proposed moving about $1.4 billion previously allocated to fight Ebola to contend with Zika instead, introducing legislation that would allow the government to spend funds still unused since a $2.4 billion emergency allocation on that illness was made in 2014.

Fauci said he anticipated beginning a so-called Phase 1 trial this summer for a Zika vaccine that would take about three months to test if it is safe and induces a good immune response before further studies can be conducted.

“Congressional action on the Administration’s request will accelerate our ability to prevent, detect and respond to the Zika virus and bolster our ability to reduce the potential for future infectious disease outbreaks”.

The Obama administration said 50 Americans have returned to the USA infected with Zika.

Last week, Zika was reported in Dallas, Texas the first case of locally transmitted through sexual contact, not a mosquito bite. But she also said the measure should include funding to address the water problems in Flint, Mich. Efforts to expand the scope of the emergency spending bill could make it harder to pass.