More than 16,800 Zika cases have been detected in the United States. Republican and Democratic Senate leaders have again blocked a $1.1 billion plan to fight the Zika virus for the third time blaming the each other for inaction on critical bills and fund the government.
The Democrats have demanded the Republicans to drop an effort to block Planned Parenthood from receiving money to combat the mosquito-borne disease, the New York Times reported.
Zika Fever
Zika virus is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes which causes mild fever with maculopapular rash. No treatment or vaccine is currently available.
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‘Republican and Democratic Senate leaders have again blocked a $1.1 billion plan to fight the Zika virus for the third time blaming the each other for inaction on critical bills and fund the government.’
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The Democrats, who had essentially blocked the same legislation in June, 2016, had enough votes on Tuesday, September 6, 2016, to prevent Congress from moving emergency funding public health experts say was desperately needed as they prepared for the possibility that Zika will spread to other states along the gulf coast.
The vote was 52 to 46, and Republicans needed 60 votes to advance the bill, the New York Times reported.
Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican majority leader, said that although efforts to fight the virus had produced encouraging results, the problem was far from over.
![Zika Cases In Singapore Surge to 82]( "Zika Cases In Singapore Surge to 82")
In pregnant women, Zika can cause microcephaly, a deformation in which babies are born with abnormally small brains and heads.
"It's hard to explain why, despite their own calls for funding, Democrats would block plans to keep women and babies safe from Zika," McConnell said before the vote.
If an agreement is not reached, the government could shut down on September 30, 2016, just a few weeks before the presidential and congressional elections, CNN reported.
However, several congressional Republicans suggested the Zika and government funding issues would be combined and resolved together ahead of the deadline.
Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the Democratic leader, said Republicans had sabotaged efforts to address Zika by including the restrictions on Planned Parenthood.
"Now with this Zika virus frightening women all over America, they want to cut it off?" the New York Times reported citing Reid as saying before the vote.
According to the state Department of Health, Florida announced seven new Zika cases, bringing the total number of homegrown cases in the state to 56, the New York Times added.
Source: IANS
Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican majority leader, said that although efforts to fight the virus had produced encouraging results, the problem was far from over.
Zika Cases In Singapore Surge to 82
In pregnant women, Zika can cause microcephaly, a deformation in which babies are born with abnormally small brains and heads.
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"It's hard to explain why, despite their own calls for funding, Democrats would block plans to keep women and babies safe from Zika," McConnell said before the vote.
If an agreement is not reached, the government could shut down on September 30, 2016, just a few weeks before the presidential and congressional elections, CNN reported.
However, several congressional Republicans suggested the Zika and government funding issues would be combined and resolved together ahead of the deadline.
Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the Democratic leader, said Republicans had sabotaged efforts to address Zika by including the restrictions on Planned Parenthood.
"Now with this Zika virus frightening women all over America, they want to cut it off?" the New York Times reported citing Reid as saying before the vote.
According to the state Department of Health, Florida announced seven new Zika cases, bringing the total number of homegrown cases in the state to 56, the New York Times added.
Source: IANS
Guatemala Confirms First Zika-Linked Microcephaly and Paralysis
The main hospital in Guatemala's capital confirmed the country's first case of a Zika-linked birth defect in a newborn and two cases of a related nerve disorder.
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Brazil Had Just Notched Up a Tiny Victory Against ZikaTeams of naval personnel and sanitation staff went house to house, garden to garden, flower pot to flower pot to destroy the Zika-transmitting mosquito larvae. | Advertisement
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