WASHINGTON — Some $60 million will soon flow to states, cities and territories to fight the Zika virus, White House officials announced Thursday.
WASHINGTON — Some $60 million will soon flow to states, cities and territories to fight the Zika virus, White House officials announced Thursday.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will begin awarding nearly $60 million to localities to “support efforts to protect Americans from the Zika virus,” including protecting against the birth defect microcephaly, the agency said in a news release Thursday. CDC said new funding will be available to jurisdictions Aug. 1.
CDC said the money will go toward:
— Tracking and investigating the epidemiology of Zika.
— Improving mosquito monitoring and control.
— Bolstering lab capacity.
— Supporting participation in a pregnancy registry that tracks women infected with Zika and their infants.
The announcement comes after criticism from congressional Republicans who accuse the administration of dragging its feet on spending Zika funds while at the same time executive branch officials insist more money is needed.