Donovan decries partisan fights as Zika research remains underfunded

U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan (R-NY) on Tuesday decried actions by his congressional colleagues for jeopardizing the development of a vaccine for the Zika virus.

Donovan’s statement came in the wake of three different companies threatening to halt their developments due to funding uncertainty.

“The Zika epidemic is about to shift from a natural crisis to a man-made catastrophe,” Donovan said. “Three vaccine research companies have already threatened to halt their efforts. It’s shameful to jeopardize the solution to a public health crisis over partisan bickering. Frankly, expecting mothers at risk of contracting the Zika Virus don’t care if it’s an election year.”

The Obama administration redirected $589 million earlier this year from the Ebola response account to address the emerging threat of Zika. The administration, however, still has a remaining $2 billion in unused Ebola funds that it has not directed to fighting Zika.

While the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) was provided $85 million to fund vaccine development, the agency reported that its funding will run dry later this month. Should the funding stop, BARDA estimates that it will take approximately three to six months to resume research.

The House of Representatives passed legislation in June to fund Zika research and response at the previously-agreed upon $1.1 billion level. Prior to the Senate beginning a six week recess, however, Senate democrats blocked consideration of the bill, citing concerns with riders attached to the legislation.

“As partisan squabbles derail measures to protect the American public, the Obama Administration should immediately reallocate some Ebola funds to ensure vaccine development is not delayed,” Donovan said.