Senate Nears Deal for $1.1 Billion Funding to Fight Zika Virus

The Senate Republicans and Democrats are said to be nearing an agreement on the new funding for emergency use when it comes to combatting Zika virus. However, it was reported that House Republicans remain to be skeptical about the need for an emergency funding.

According to The Wall Street Journal, proponents of the emergency funding are saying that the onset of warmer weather is creating the urgent need for the capital as it will be used to control mosquito populations, develop vaccines and increase laboratory capacity for research regarding the virus. The virus is being linked to birth defects such as microcephaly, which is an abnormally small head.

Budget Director Shaun Donovan said earlier this month that the United States should not risk having the outbreak spread and get out of control before the Congress makes an action regarding the matter. In February, the administration asked for about $1.9 billion for the funding, but Republicans said the administration should use the money that was reserved for Ebola virus. The administration announced last month that around $500 million from the Ebola funding will be shifted to Zika virus, The New York Times reported.

Despite many researches regarding the Zika Virus, very little is known about it. Most people who are infected also do not exhibit symptoms which include conjunctivitis, rash, fever, headache, as well as joint and muscle pain, Farraguter reported.

Senator Roy Blunt, Republican of Missouri, said they are close to a plan that they think would work, but they would like more input from the administration. Blunt chairs a Senate Appropriations subcommittee responsible for health funding. Senator Patt Murray of Washington, the top negotiator for the Democrats, said he is pleased that the Republicans are recognizing the need for the funding.

Much of the funding, if approved, will be spent domestically while the rest, around 40 percent, will be used to aid other countries for programs like educational campaigns, maternal and child health efforts, and mosquito management.

As of April 20, the United States has seen 388 Zika virus cases, most were acquired from traveling to areas where the disease has spread. The virus was detected for the first time mainly in Latin America and the Caribbean. 

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Senate Republicans, Senate Democrats, Zika virus, United States, Funding, Ebola virus, emergency funding

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