Senate Committee Advances Bill Funding Preparedness for Pandemics Such As Zika

According to Homeland Preparedness News:

“The U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee on May 23 approved 22-1 the pending Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act of 2018, S.2852.

S. 2852, introduced on May 15 by U.S. Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), would reauthorize certain programs under the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) that are set to expire on Sept. 30. The law last was reauthorized in 2013 and is on a fast track to the president’s desk.

[…]

The bipartisan S. 2852, signed by original cosponsors Sen. Alexander and U.S. Sens. Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate HELP Committee, and Bob Casey (D-PA), who also serves on the HELP Committee, includes myriad provisions aimed at improving the nation’s preparedness and response to man-made and naturally occurring threats, or chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) attacks, as well as emerging infectious diseases, potential pandemics, and antimicrobial resistance.”

The pandemics listed above include the Zika virus. Given that the Zika virus has been demonstrated to increase the likelihood of certain developmental disabilities among children of women infected with the virus, ANCOR has voiced its support for funding for Zika research in the past. We will continue to report on new stories in this arena as they develop.