Federal Health Officials Prepare Plan For Responding To Possible Zika Outbreak In U.S.
The blueprint for federal and state action if the virus begins to be transmitted in this country could be released this week. Meanwhile, Florida officials are looking for more leadership and funding from the federal government. And Kaiser Health News has an FAQ about concerns for women of child-bearing age.
The New York Times:
Officials Preparing For Zika Virus To Spread In The U.S.
The federal government, preparing for homegrown cases of the Zika virus, is planning to release a proposal for responding to them, health officials said Friday. The 60-page document, a blueprint for action when the first cases of locally transmitted Zika occur in the continental United States, could be released early next week, officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. They emphasized that it was a working draft that could change based on advice from state officials. Sylvia Mathews Burwell, the secretary of health and human services, and Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, the director of the C.D.C., spoke by videoconference with state governors Thursday about the plan. On Friday, experts with the C.D.C. talked with state health departments. (Tavernise, 6/10)
Health News Florida:
Scott Pushes Feds For More Zika Action
Governor Rick Scott says Florida is doing its part to fight the spread of the Zika virus in the state. But he’s continuing the complaint that he’d like to see the Federal government do more. Scott spoke with a group of reporters Friday. (McCarthy, 6/12)
Health News Florida:
Leon County Wants $469,000 For Zika, Just In Case
Hoping for the best but preparing for the worst, Leon County officials are asking the state for nearly $470,000 for a Zika emergency plan. (Ash, 6/10)
Kaiser Health News:
Women And The Zika Virus: Smart Questions And A Few Solid Answers
Mosquitoes may be one of summer’s nuisances. But the ones carrying Zika, a virus that has spread through Latin America and could be transmitted in the United States this summer, are triggering public health warnings -- especially among women of childbearing age -- because of Zika's propensity to cause birth defects. ... What’s the danger? A lot is up in the air, since there’s not a ton of research on the virus. Here’s a quick breakdown of the smart questions to ask and what we do actually know. (Luthra, 6/13)
