As 1-Year Mark Approaches, Zika Still Affects Americans; Efforts To Address Disease Must Continue

Washington Post: One year later, Zika still affects us all
Tom Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Edward McCabe, chief medical officer of the March of Dimes

“Over the past year, we’ve seen the life-altering effects of the Zika virus on newborns. … As we approach the one-year mark of this emergency response, we reflect on the lessons we’ve learned. … The Zika virus affects all Americans. In addition to the overwhelming emotional toll on families, the CDC estimates that lifetime medical and educational costs for each baby born with microcephaly could be more than $10 million. Affected children will need protection, support, and attention for decades to come. As we look to the future, we hope to see images showing the hands of community members helping to control mosquitoes, the hands of health professionals protecting the next generation from Zika with new vaccines, and the hands of caregivers helping affected children to reach their full potential” (1/12).

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