APHA announces support for Zika funding

The American Public Health Association (APHA) announced its support on Monday for a new surge in funding to protect against Zika virus.

President Barack Obama recently released the details of his emergency plan to provide more than $1.8 billion in funds to prepare for and respond to Zika virus in the U.S. and abroad. These funds will be designated to boost ongoing preparedness work and strengthen efforts to stop transmission of the virus, including expanding mosquito control programs, increasing disease surveillance and laboratory capacity, and improving health education and services for pregnant women and families. Additional funds will help jump start vaccine research and development.

“Zika presents a new threat for communities across our nation,” Georges C. Benjamin, executive director of APHA, said. “New threats require new investments. The president’s request is a prudent step to help ensure we are as prepared as possible to detect and defend against this emerging health risk. While we’ve only seen one case of reported Zika virus transmission in the U.S., it’s only a matter of time. We have a lot to learn and prepare for, and we need to do so quickly.”

Last week, the World Health Organization declared that Zika virus was a public health emergency of international concern.