CDC Offering States Money for Zika Preparations
States and territories will receive funds based on the geographic locations of the two mosquitoes known to transmit Zika virus; their history of mosquito-borne disease outbreaks; and their population.
CDC announced May 13 that U.S. states and territories now can apply to CDC for money to fight Zika virus locally. "These funds will allow states and territories to continue implementation of their Zika preparedness plans but are not enough to support a comprehensive Zika response and can only temporarily address what is needed,” said Dr. Stephen C. Redd, M.D., director of CDC's Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response. "Without the full amount of requested emergency supplemental funding, many activities that need to start now are being delayed or may have to be stopped within months."
Several measures to provide federal money for Zika preparedness are under consideration in Congress, with a $1.1 billion measure scheduled for a Senate vote on May 17. A House measure is expected to provide less than $1 billion; the White House asked for $1.9 billion.
CDC meanwhile is offering $25 million in FY2016 preparedness and response funding that will go to 53 states, cities, and territories that are at risk for outbreaks of Zika virus infection. The agency's announcement said the recipients will receive funds based on the geographic locations of the two mosquitoes known to transmit Zika virus, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus; their history of mosquito-borne disease outbreaks; and their population.
Applications for the funds are due to CDC by June 13. The money will be disbursed during the summer and remain available through July 2017.
There is currently no vaccine or treatment for Zika.