How The Zika Virus Spread While Congress Was Out On Recess

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The U.S. Congress failed to pass a Zika-virus funding package ahead of the scheduled July 15 recess. A $1.1 billion package was on the table but was ultimately blocked and shut down by a vote of 52 to 48 as the bill contained politically motivated language.

Related Link: Will Senate Recess Without Approving Zika Funding Amid Mosquito Season?

Congress will return to session on September 5, but since July 15, there have been several notable developments in the Zika outbreak:

  • July 18: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) confirmed a death in Utah was related to the Zika virus.
  • July 21: Officials in Florida trapped mosquitoes in Miami and are testing them for the Zika virus after a women contracted the virus. Health officials said the case had no connection to sex or travel.
  • July 26: Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc INO announced the dosing of the first subject in a multi-center Phase I trial to evaluate its Zika DNA vaccine GLS-5700.
  • July 29: The CDC reported four cases in Florida of the Zika virus linked to mosquitoes.
  • August 2: The CDC awarded $16 million to states and territories to fight the Zika virus.
  • August 3: Reports surfaced that the Pentagon said 33 military personal have contracted the Zika virus.
  • August 8: The U.S. Federal trade Commission (FTC) sent warning letters to online marketers selling products that claim to offer protection from the Zika virus.
  • August 12: President Barack Obama shifts $81 million from other projects to provide researches with additional resources to continue working on a vaccine.
  • August 23: Three cases of the Zika virus were reported in Nassau, Bahamas.
  • August 23: OraSure Technologies, Inc. OSUR won a $16.6 million contract to advance its Zika virus testing procedures.
  • August 26: The FDA issued a revised guidance recommending universal testing of donated blood for the Zika virus.
  • September 1: Mosquitoes in Miami have tested positive for the Zika virus.

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Posted In: BiotechHealth CareTravelFDALegalGlobalGeneralZikaZika VirusZika Virus FundingZika Virus Vaccine
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