CDC Supports Zika surveillance systems in Forty states, territories

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has granted more than $16 million to support Zika surveillance systems for forty states and territories to develop, enhance, and maintain data-gathering systems to enable real-time, population-deployed monitoring for microcephaly and other birth abnormalities caused by the Zika virus.

Till now, more than 1,600 Zika-related cases have been reported in the fifty states and the Columbia District, while more than 4,700 cases have been cured and treated in the United States. territories.

Stressed over a nationwide out­break and a potential epidemic, the CDC investment is meant to make sure that the system infrastructure is in place to give public health zika surveillance systems' abilities in those states and territories that are most vulnerable to Zika infection.

In accordance to CDC officials, it is serious for these states and territories to be capable to rapidly track microcephaly—a crucial neurological birth defect featured by a smaller than normal head—and other adverse results caused by the mosquito-borne sicknesses.

“Zika virus Infection during the time period of pregnancy poses a crucial threat to the fetus and can cause microcephaly, and due to that, it is very urgent that we check quickly and completely birth defects that may be regarded to Zika,” claims Margaret Honein, chief of the CDC’s Birth Defects Branch and co-lead on the Pregnancy and Birth Defects Task Force in the agency’s Zika response.

“CDC has granted funds to states that are at high threat of having the Zika virus diseases, either travel-related or—in some cases—the potential of regional transmission,” adds Honein. “We’re working closely with state health departments to arrange a system for quickly ascertaining the critical birth defects, checking them over time, and making sure that infants and their families are referred to suitable services and facilities.”

Honein, an epidemiologist, explains the step as a birth defects surveillance system. Although, unlike other networks that are “meticulous” in their deployment, she claims the Zika outbreak needs an expedited execution around the country, putting a priority on detecting the health and developmental results of children affected by Zika Virus infections.

“We need to do all of that quality control, but this will be done much more rapidly,” states Honein.

Investing amounts for the forty states and territories gaining the assistance range from $200,000 to $720,000, and were deployed on their threat of Zika virus infection transmission as well as their present birth defects Zika surveillance system abilities.

In accordance to Honein, few states and territories are more advanced and will just need modest infrastructure betterments, while others will require Zika surveillance systems constructed from the ground up. Nevertheless, she notices that these awards are meant to facilitate as a stopgap diverted from other public health resources until Zika funds are given by Congress.

Late previous month, the American Medical Association—the nation’s greatest physician agency—called on the Obama administration and Congress to take quick action to support a public health response to the Zika virus infection.

“Congress and the Administration must act as soon as possible to make sure that our country is capable to deploy the type of public health response essential to keep our people safe and healthy,” stated AMA President Andrew Gurman, MD.

Honein summarizes: “We have not yet got any appropriations for Zika Virus infection, but CDC is doing the best it can with present funding to meet the most urgent requirements.”