Jackson Falconer
SARASOTA – With more than 25 percent of all U.S. Zika cases having occurred in Florida so far, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Longboat Key) is urging that Congress passes funding legislation before its 10-day recess begins after the end of this week.
"People's lives are at stake – the time for inaction is over," said Buchanan in a statement.
Zika is a virus that can cause severe birth defects if contracted by pregnant women. According to the Center for Disease Control, at least one third of infants with Zika-related birth defects have been born in the U.S.
The two chambers of Congress are currently at a divide over how much funding should be dispersed to help prevent the spread of the virus. A committee made up of members of the Senate and House are working to come to a resolution for the divide.
"We need to listen to the health experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and give them the resources they need to control the devastating health impact of this disease," Buchanan said.
According to the Florida Department of Health, there were 195 cases of the virus in the state as of Friday.
Comments
No comments on this item
Only paid subscribers can comment
Please log in to comment by clicking here.