Over the past several weeks, the rampage of the Zika virus has become more pronounced:

• A newborn baby girl died in Texas from the virus;
• Part of Miami is a “warning zone” because of 25 cases of Zika, some spread by mosquitoes, and Centers for Disease Control is advising pregnant women not to travel in another new area of Miami beach;
• The Centers for Disease Control recently reported 16,832 Zika cases in the United States and its territories; and
• HHS declared a public health emergency in Puerto Rico.

Tell Congress to act now to protect people across the country from Zika and stop its spread by fully funding the nearly $2 billion request from the President.

Photo by Jerry Lai, Flickr, CC License

Zika poses a new and unique hazard. It is the first known vector-borne disease to cause fetal neurological effects. Since the current epidemic began, our knowledge of the disease, its transmission, and its complications has evolved rapidly. However, a vaccine and rapid diagnostic tests are still lacking. The mosquito vector is present in several parts of the US and control is uncoordinated and inadequate. Cases of Zika are being introduced frequently by returning travelers and mosquito season is bringing the problem to a head.

It is time for Congress to take real action to protect babies from the Zika epidemic, stop the spread of the virus, and prevent this public health crisis from getting worse. In May, National Nurses United wrote to Congress urging members to quickly pass an emergency funding package to fully fund vital preparedness and response activities. Instead, Congress left town without taking action. In the weeks since Congress left town, the number of Zika cases has more than doubled.

Urge your Representative to immediately fund the robust presidential Zika prevention and eradication proposal.