Zika Funding Delay, Shortfall Will Hurt Cancer, Other Disease Research Efforts, U.S. Health Officials Say

CNN: Zika funding falls short but will be well spent, health officials say
“…The [$1.1] billion dollars Congress just gave the fight on Zika will be well spent, even if it’s not enough and much too late. That’s the message from Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell and key public health officials Monday…” (LaMotte, 10/3).

CQ News: More Zika Funds in CR, but Still Not Enough, HHS Officials Say
“…The administration’s original request was for $1.9 billion. Without the extra $800 million, the Food and Drug Administration, for instance, won’t get additional support as it prepares to approve new diagnostic tests. And money originally allocated for research priorities such as Ebola and cancer won’t be repaid…” (Siddons, 10/3).

The Guardian: U.S. Zika funding shortfall will impede cancer research, health officials say
“…Officials with the federal Health and Human Services Administration called on Congress to consider an emergency health fund for future emerging diseases, similar to the way natural disasters are funded…” (Glenza, 10/3).

Reuters: Zika funding delay hurt effort to fight virus: U.S. health officials
“…Health officials on a conference call with reporters also said money they had redirected from other efforts, such as for Ebola and cancer research, was unlikely to be reimbursed. … Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell promised that the new funds would be allocated quickly. But she said critical time and energy were spent on working to get the funding instead of working to use it…” (Berkrot, 10/3).

ScienceInsider: U.S. officials welcome new Zika funding, but say delays hurt
“…CDC Director Tom Frieden in Atlanta said the new money will allow his staff to continue helping states implement mosquito control and infection detection programs, as well as conduct more intensive studies about the impact Zika virus has on pregnancy and on infants born with Zika congenital syndrome, which includes microcephaly…” (Cohen, 10/3).

U.S. News: With Funding From Congress, Health Officials Outline Zika Response
“…[U.S. health officials] expressed concerns over the long-term damage that could be ahead with Zika and with other public health efforts, given that they waited seven months for money from Congress…” (Leonard, 10/3).

Washington Times: HHS outlines plans for new Zika money
“…The Department of Health and Human Services will receive the lion’s share of the new Zika funding … and split most of it between mosquito surveillance and vaccine development through the National Institutes of Health and a research authority known as BARDA, which is supporting several private-sector trials…” (Howell, 10/3).

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