The CDC will award nearly $184 million in funding to states, territories, local jurisdictions and universities to bolster efforts designed to curb the spread of Zika and mitigate adverse outcomes associated with the virus, including microcephaly.
The new monies are a part of the $350 million in funding provided to the CDC under the Zika Response and Preparedness Appropriations Act of 2016.
"Zika continues to be a threat to pregnant women," said Tom Frieden, MD, CDC director. "States, territories, and communities need this CDC funding to fight Zika and protect the next generation of Americans."
In addition to microcephaly — a rare neurological birth defect that causes babies to be born with abnormally small heads — infants affected by Zika are developing added complications not commonly attributable to the birth defect alone, including vision problems, hearing complications and development issues pertaining to the joints and limbs.
As of Dec. 13, the CDC has recorded 1,246 Zika infections among pregnant women in the United States.
More articles on the Zika virus:
CDC issues Zika-related travel guidance for Brownsville, Texas
Microcephaly 'the tip of the iceberg' — 4 in 10 Zika-infected babies may have serious birth defects
Texas receives $5M from CDC to fight Zika