HHS Awards Additional $6.3 Million to Help States and Cities Fight West Nile Virus
HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced today that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will award more than $6.3 million to 25 states, three cities, and the District of Columbia. The federal government continues to provide technical and scientific support to states and communities in need of assistance.
The $6.3 million is in addition to the $11.3 million that was awarded to states and cities in August to help them strengthen their efforts to combat the virus and is to be available immediately.
Secretary Thompson is directing the CDC to make sure its expertise, technical support, and other pertinent resources are fully available to states as they deal with the spread of the virus. The CDC has deployed epidemiologists and clinicians to Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Chicago
"We are working closely with state and local health departments to bolster their efforts to protect residents from West Nile virus," Secretary Thompson said.
CDC funding to states and cities for West Nile virus so far this year is approximately $35 million. Since fiscal year 2000 more than $58 million has been made available to state and local health departments to develop or enhance epidemiological and lab capacity for West Nile virus and other arboviral diseases.
West Nile virus activity has been reported from coast to coast and will continue to expand into new areas," said Dr. Julie Gerberding, CDC director. These funds are intended for activities deemed the highest priority by states to help control and prevent human disease from West Nile virus.
West Nile virus activity has been reported in 43 states and the District of Columbia. As of September 11, there are 1201 human cases of West Nile virus, with 46 deaths.
CDC recommends that people take the following steps to prevent West Nile virus:
Eliminate sources of standing water on their property - including potted outdoor plants that are watered regularly;
Use an insect repellent containing DEET;
Cover themselves with lightweight clothing as much as possible whenever they are outside.
CDC is operating its public hotlines for questions about West Nile virus. The English number is 1-888-246-2675; the Spanish hotline is 1-888-246-2857, and the number for the hearing-impaired hotline is 1-866-874-2646.
Below is the state-by-state listing of the funds being awarded today.
City/State Amount
Chicago $70,000
Colorado $65,436
Connecticut $200,000
Delaware $150,000
District of Columbia $200,000
Georgia $200,000
Kansas $200,000
Louisiana $1,300,000
Maine $193,293
Maryland $175,000
Massachusetts $183,384
Michigan $500,000
Montana $115,315
Nebraska $172,570
New Hampshire $150,000
New Jersey $200,000
New Mexico $100,515
New York $200,000
New York City $200,000
North Carolina $203,225
Oklahoma $200,000
Pennsylvania $200,000
Philadelphia $185,566
Rhode Island $150,000
South Carolina $200,000
Vermont $150,000
Virginia $92,643
West Virginia $200,000
Wyoming $150,000
###
CDC protects people's health and safety by preventing and controlling diseases and injuries; enhances health decisions by providing credible information on critical health issues; and promotes healthy living through strong partnerships with local, national and international organizations.
and connect with fellow professionals
At DoveMed, our utmost priority is your well-being. We are an online medical resource dedicated to providing you with accurate and up-to-date information on a wide range of medical topics. But we're more than just an information hub - we genuinely care about your health journey. That's why we offer a variety of products tailored for both healthcare consumers and professionals, because we believe in empowering everyone involved in the care process.
Our mission is to create a user-friendly healthcare technology portal that helps you make better decisions about your overall health and well-being. We understand that navigating the complexities of healthcare can be overwhelming, so we strive to be a reliable and compassionate companion on your path to wellness.
As an impartial and trusted online resource, we connect healthcare seekers, physicians, and hospitals in a marketplace that promotes a higher quality, easy-to-use healthcare experience. You can trust that our content is unbiased and impartial, as it is trusted by physicians, researchers, and university professors around the globe. Importantly, we are not influenced or owned by any pharmaceutical, medical, or media companies. At DoveMed, we are a group of passionate individuals who deeply care about improving health and wellness for people everywhere. Your well-being is at the heart of everything we do.
0 Comments
Please log in to post a comment.