Federal Officials Approve Testing Zika Vaccine In Humans
June 21, 2016
Morning Briefing
The early tests, in 40 adults, will look at safety concerns first. In other developments, health officials from around the world examined the Zika threat at a U.N. meeting, U.S. officials seek to ensure the safety of blood donations and a look at the virus’ effect on children.
Finding Donations To Fight Zika Is Proving Difficult
June 7, 2016
Morning Briefing
Public health officials in both the U.S. and the World Health Organization have been pleading for additional spending to stop the spread of Zika, but they may be facing donor fatigue. News outlets also examine Zika issues in Texas, Iowa, Minnesota and Ohio.
NIH To Enlist Olympic Team In One Of Largest Zika Studies To Date
July 6, 2016
Morning Briefing
Researchers plan to recruit American Olympic athletes and staffers this summer and monitor them for a year after the games. In other news, Sanofi is partnering with the U.S. Army on an experimental Zika vaccine, while Brazilian scientists are teaming up with World Health Organization for the same purpose. Meanwhile, Congress is still stalled on funding, and The Dallas Morning News untangles the complicated advice surrounding getting pregnant during the outbreak.
New Reports On Zika Provoke Heightened Interest In Sexual Transmission Risk
July 5, 2016
Morning Briefing
Although some have doubts about the data, experts say the reports showing women in Latin America are much more likely to be infected than men, although both are presumed to be equally exposed to mosquitoes, should prompt a new focus on how the virus is transmitted through sexual activity. Meanwhile, The Hill offers a look at how Planned Parenthood has become central to the Zika funding battle.
Two More Possible ‘Home-Grown’ Zika Cases Spark Concerns Virus Is Spreading
July 28, 2016
Morning Briefing
Officials still do not expect a widespread outbreak in the continental U.S., but Florida is particularly vulnerable to the virus because of its climate.
Dems Accuse GOP Of ‘Cynical’ Opioid-Funding Ploy In Stopgap Bill
September 26, 2016
Morning Briefing
Because the $37 million that is included in the spending bill is pro-rated, the administration will only actually get about $7 million to begin implementing a measure to curb opioid abuse during the 10 weeks that the stopgap measure would be in effect. Meanwhile, the spending fight has shifted focus from Zika to Flint.
Zika Vaccine Success In Mice Offers Tantalizing Prospect Of Complete Protection
June 29, 2016
Morning Briefing
Two experimental vaccines show promise in early studies, and researchers are cautious but optimistic. In a different study, scientists find that the virus has a prolonged effect in pregnant women. Also, Zika isn’t the only virus mosquitoes carry, and the combination of environmental factors and reproductive health care cuts is creating a perfect storm for women in the South.
Feds Award $60M More To Battle Zika Just As Virus Is Found In More Widespread Mosquito
July 22, 2016
Morning Briefing
After discovering Zika in the Culex mosquito, scientists are warning that more research is needed. But if they begin detecting the virus in the species in large numbers and on a consistent basis, experts say “that would be a game changer.”
Health Officials Revise Guidance Of Where Mosquitos That Could Carry Zika Are Found
June 14, 2016
Morning Briefing
The new map represents “the best knowledge of the current distribution of this mosquito based on collection records,” according to a federal scientist quoted by NPR. In other Zika news, the U.N. revokes an invitation to a Canadian professor to join a study group, a look at how cutbacks in women’s health programs could affect Zika prevention and advice on finding travelers’ insurance that might allow you to cancel a trip based on Zika threats.
Viewpoints: The Price Tag Of Hospital Stays; The Politics Of Zika Are Spreading
June 29, 2016
Morning Briefing
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Poison Pills In Zika Bill Likely Too Bitter For Democratic Senators To Swallow
June 28, 2016
Morning Briefing
The Senate is expected to take a procedural vote this week on a broad veterans and military spending bill that includes $1.1 billion to combat the Zika virus. But Democrats are balking at the deal due to provisions such as a cut to Planned Parenthood grants.
Abortion Debate In The Spotlight As Zika’s Effects, High Court Case, Election Rhetoric Flood The News
May 24, 2016
Morning Briefing
The abortion issue is in the public eye as news highlights the virus that causes devastating birth defects, the ongoing Supreme Court cases that could change the landscape of abortion access and candidates’ views on the topic. Meanwhile, activists are closely following the court case of a woman who was sentenced to 20 years in prison after ingesting abortion-inducing drugs.
Viewpoints: Zika And Planned Parenthood; The Public Option; Funding For Safety Net Hospitals
July 11, 2016
Morning Briefing
A selection of opinions from around the country on health care.
CDC Rethinks Zika Guidance After First Case Of Female-To-Male Sexual Transmission
July 18, 2016
Morning Briefing
Until now, CDC’s guidance to prevent sexual transmission was based on the assumption that any spread occurs from a man to his partners.
Two Fla. Counties Asked To Stop Collecting Blood Due To Possible ‘Home-Grown’ Zika Cases
July 29, 2016
Morning Briefing
The Food and Drug Administration has asked blood centers in Miami and Fort Lauderdale to suspend blood donations during the investigation into the four cases that may not be linked to travel outside the country.
Florida Officials Investigating First Possible Non-Travel Related Zika Case In U.S.
July 20, 2016
Morning Briefing
Most experts believe the spread of the virus in the U.S. will be contained, though.
Dems Try To Force Vote On Zika Funding In Last-Ditch Effort Before Recess
June 22, 2016
Morning Briefing
Filing a discharge petition could signal that bipartisan negotiations are not moving forward. In other news, the CDC works to offer Zika-planning blueprints to cities and states, researchers launch a massive study of 10,000 pregnant women to better understand the virus, Microsoft joins the fight against carrier mosquitoes and 10 pregnant women in Texas test positive for Zika.
Both Parties Seize Upon Administration’s Slow Pace In Redirecting Ebola Funding To Combat Zika
July 7, 2016
Morning Briefing
The Obama administration has only distributed about one-sixth of the Ebola funding that it’s using to fight the virus. Republicans say that proves their point that Congress has some breathing room before it becomes absolutely necessary to pass legislation for it. Democrats, however, say moving money out the door takes time, which is all the more reason to act quickly on Zika. Outlets also report on developments out of Florida, Puerto Rico and Kansas.
Researchers Predict As Few As 15 Zika Cases At Olympics
June 8, 2016
Morning Briefing
The studies, however, did not attempt to assess the risk of even a single Olympics traveller carrying the virus back to a vulnerable home country. Meanwhile, media outlets in the states report on the virus.
It’s Futile To Try To Stop Spread Of Zika, But Epidemic Will Burn Itself Out, Study Suggests
July 15, 2016
Morning Briefing
It has already shown signs of slowing down, and will likely grind to a halt within the next three years, researchers say.
