On Friday, the CDC announced states and territories can now apply for a share of $25 million in funds redirected by the HHS to combat Zika locally.
State, local and territorial health officials will be able to use the funds to identify and investigate potential Zika outbreaks in their communities. Recipients will receive funding based on geographical location, populations of the mosquitoes responsible for the transmission of the virus and the community's historical susceptibility to mosquito-borne outbreaks. Applications for funding are due to the CDC by June 13. The funds will be dispersed over the summer and will remain available until July 2017.
"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, MD, 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."
The $1.9 billion in Zika funds requested by President Barack Obama have been a source of political contention as of late. Recently, the Senate came to a compromise on the matter and will reportedly approve $1.1 billion in emergency Zika funds. Whether the measure will find bipartisan support in the House is unclear.
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