The federal government is giving states and territories $25 million to fight the Zika virus, while Congress still debates whether to approve a major funding package.
The funding announced Friday from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would go towards 53 state, city and U.S. territory health departments in areas that are at risk for a Zika outbreak.
The CDC is taking money from emergency response funds, which officials claim is needed to combat the looming threat of Zika — a virus primarily spread through mosquito bites.
“Although the continental United States has not yet seen local transmission of the Zika virus, mosquito season is here, and states must continue to both work to prevent transmission and prepare for their first local case,” said Stephen C. Redd, director of the CDC’s Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response.
The announcement comes as the Senate is battling over whether to approve $1.1 billion in emergency Zika funding.
Senate Democrats objected to the package, which already passed the House, because of riders that outlawed funding to Planned Parenthood clinics and easing regulations on pesticide use.
The funding is also below the $1.9 billion President Obama requested back in February.
