CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has awarded more than $16 million to 40 states and territories to establish, enhance, and maintain information-gathering systems to rapidly detect microcephaly–a serious birth defect of the brain–and other adverse outcomes caused by Zika virus infection.
These awards are a stopgap diverted from other public health resources until Zika funds are provided by Congress.
The funding will also help states and territories ensure that infants and their families are referred to appropriate health and social services. Finally, the awards will enable states and territories to monitor the health and developmental outcomes of children affected by Zika.
“It is critical to identify infants with birth defects related to Zika virus so we can support them and their families,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “This CDC funding provides real-time data about the Zika epidemic as it unfolds in the United States and territories and will help those most devastated by this virus.”
The funds will allow states and territories to:
- Enhance information-gathering to carry out strategies for real-time, population-based monitoring for microcephaly and other birth defects caused by Zika virus;
- Enhance capacity development through partner collaboration and infrastructure improvements;
- Provide referral of infants and families to health and social resources;
- Participate in CDC data reporting; and
- Expand access to examination of health and monitoring of developmental outcomes of children born to women with positive or inconclusive Zika virus test results.