Caribbean National Weekly

CDC confirms Zika funding for states

By CNW Reporter··1 min read
CDC confirms Zika funding for states
Key Points(5)
  • states and territories can now apply to CDC for funds to fight Zika locally.
  • More than $85 million in redirected funds identified by the Department of Health and Human Services is being made available to support efforts to protect Americans from Zika infection and associated adverse health outcomes, including the serious birth defect microcephaly.
  • </strong><u></u><u></u> "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 Stephen C.
  • (RADM, USPHS), director of CDC’s Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response.
  • Jurisdictions will use the funds to strengthen incident management and emergency operations coordination; information management and sharing; and community recovery and resilience.

U.S. states and territories can now apply to CDC for funds to fight Zika locally. More than $85 million in redirected funds identified by the Department of Health and Human Services is being made available to support efforts to protect Americans from Zika infection and associated adverse health outcomes, including the serious birth defect microcephaly. 

"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 Stephen C. Redd, M.D. (RADM, USPHS), 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.” 

Under the latest announcement, $25 million in FY 2016 preparedness and response funding will go to 53 states, cities, and territories at risk for outbreaks of Zika virus infection.‎ Recipients will receive funds based on the geographic locations of the two mosquitoes known to transmit Zika virus, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus; history of mosquito borne disease outbreaks; and size of population. Jurisdictions will use the funds to strengthen incident management and emergency operations coordination; information management and sharing; and community recovery and resilience. 

State, local and territorial health officials can use the funds to rapidly identify and investigate a possible outbreak of Zika virus disease in their communities; coordinate a comprehensive response across all levels of government and non-governmental partners (including the healthcare sector); and identify and connect to community services families affected by Zika virus disease.

Related Stories

St. Vincent announces emergency measures to offset rising global prices

St. Vincent announces emergency measures to offset rising global prices

Bahamas imposes travel ban on visitors from three African countries over Ebola concerns

Bahamas imposes travel ban on visitors from three African countries over Ebola concerns

CARICOM foreign ministers condemn intensified US measures against Cuba

CARICOM foreign ministers condemn intensified US measures against Cuba

St. Lucia PM cautious on restoring death penalty amid growing public calls

St. Lucia PM cautious on restoring death penalty amid growing public calls