Obama asking Congress for emergency funding to combat Zika

Zika virus disease is most often spread by mosquitoes, though there have been reports of transmission through sexual contact. There has so far been no transmission of the Zika virus by mosquitoes within the United States, but some Americans have returned to the US with infections from affected countries in South America, Central America, the Caribbean and the Pacific Islands, the AP reported. The virus has been linked to a spike in cases of birth defects in Brazil and elsewhere, similar to though more serious than microcephaly – a term that denotes babies born with small heads, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that babies have suffered any foetal abnormalities. “We don’t think the traveling (of women to infected areas) should be stopped but we believe the pregnant women need to be aware of the risks”, she added.

As the Zika virus threat grows in Latin America, the United States is considering an aggressive response.

Dr. Fauci told the press that even though there were Zika virus found in urine and silva, “we should not presume as it is going to be transmitted [through urine and silva]”.

Also, Colombia’s Health Ministry said last week that three people have died in Colombia from Zika-related cases of Guillain Barré syndrome, an autoimmune disorder that can cause temporary paralysis and, in rare cases, death.

The hardest hit country is Brazil, which hosts the Summer Olympics starting in August.

But scientists know relatively little about Zika and the road to developing a preventative shot is strewn with hurdles.

Top U.S. health officials are set to brief Congress on the virus and the funding request this week.

“One of the things that they immediately said was, especially for women that may be pregnant or even thinking of getting pregnant, that whether you are scheduled to go to Rio or no, that you shouldn’t go”, said Anthony, a former Olympian.

The administration will submit the request “shortly”, the White House said in a statement that did not specify a timeframe.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 50 laboratory-confirmed cases among USA travelers from December 2015- February 5, 2016, the White House said.

The White House said the Obama administration is taking appropriate measure to protect Americans and is seeking the fund to expand mosquito control programmes, speed development of a vaccine, and boost support for low-income pregnant women.

The WHO last week declared an global emergency over the disease, estimating that up to 4 million people may become infected in the Americas.