AHF urges Congress to authorize funding for Zika virus

Last month, lawmakers failed to approve the US Government’s request for $1.9bn in emergency funding made in February.

AHF said Congress is not concerned on the mosquito-borne and sexually-transmitted disease that has mostly affected low-income pregnant women and their newborns throughout Latin America.

Nearly 472 Zika virus cases have already been confirmed in the continental US, with 84 new cases taking place over the past week.

AHF president Michael Weinstein said: "Congress cannot continue to stubbornly ignore the proven threat of the Zika virus.

"Failing to act decisively on Zika could easily result in a wider-spread public health and economic catastrophe."

Apart from the public health implications of a Zika virus spread, the epidemic is expected to cost Americans billions if the country does not focus on the remedies.

According to the health economist Donald Shepherd, Zika is similar to the mosquito-borne dengue outbreak, which cost the global economy $8.9bn.

Recently, the US health department has made available more than $85m in redirected funds to fight Zika infection in the country.

US states and territories can now apply to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for funds to fight Zika locally.

The Zika virus is generally mild and self-limiting, lasting two to seven days. Its symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, itching, conjunctivitis or red eyes, headache, muscle pain, and eye pain.