Reuters: Obama seeks funds to fight Zika; sees no cause for panic
President Barack Obama will ask the U.S. Congress for more than $1.8 billion in emergency funds to fight Zika at home and abroad and pursue a vaccine, the White House said on Monday, but Obama also said there was no reason to panic over the mosquito-borne virus.
Zika, spreading rapidly in South and Central America and the Caribbean, has been linked to severe birth defects in Brazil and public health officials' concern is focused on pregnant women and women who may become pregnant.
Obama's request to Congress includes $200 million for research, development and commercialization of new vaccines and diagnostic tests for the virus.
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Update #1: Obama to ask Congress for $1.8 billion to combat Zika virus (Washington Post)
Update #2: Obama Asks Congress for $1.8 Billion to Combat Zika Virus (Bloomberg)
WNU Editor: In case anyone is hoping that this money will bring quick results .... think again .... U.S. health official: Widespread Zika vaccine not likely to be available for years (Reuters).