Zika funding gets $1.1 billion boost

Florida counties hope it trickles their way

The fight against Zika just received a $1.1 billion boost from the U.S. government.

The big question is will that funding trickle down to Florida.

According to Ben Shannon with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services a county would have to submit a request for funding through Health and Human Services.

Gloria Eby with Seminole County says currently the county is working with a $116,000 budget each month.

She says extra money in the Zika bank account wouldn't hurt.

"Some of the things that we would need is an increase in our resources, such as the folks to be able to conduct those source reductions," said Eby.

Brevard County wouldn't mind the financial help either.

Virginia Baker with the Natural Resources Management Department says state funding offered $5,000 dollars a month to help combat the issue.

Ideally, the county would like to reduce aerial spraying which would cost $300,000 dollars a month.

According to the HHS, here's how the funding is broken down:

Zika supplemental funding: $933 million to HHS
•         CDC: $394 million to support mosquito control and surveillance, technical assistance for states, and international response activities.
o   $44 million of this is to reimburse states for PHEP funding transferred for Zika response activities.
•         NIH: $152 million for Zika virus research and vaccine development
•         Office of the Secretary: $387 million to the “Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund,” including:
o   $75 million to reimburse health care provided in states and U.S. territories with active Zika transmission for those without private health insurance.
•         $40 million to expand delivery of primary health services in Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories.
•         $6 million for National Health Service Corps in Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories.
•         $20 million for projects of regional and national significance (SPRANS) in Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories.
•         $1 million for oversight activities related to funding in the Act.

Joanne Magley with Volusia County says extra funding would be used particularly in West Volusia County for surveillance and added research.

As for Orange County, a representative said where to use the money is a tough question.

The main concern is to find out if the county will receive any of the funding.
 


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