CMS Announces $66.1 million Funds for Zika prevention and treatment

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on the day of Wednesday declared $66.1 million funds for Zika prevention and treatment to combat Zika virus.

Puerto Rico will get $60.6 million due to its high incidence of regional Zika cases, CMS stated.

Other regions that are eligible for the funds involve American Samoa, Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands. They are eligible because they have active or regional Zika virus transmissions that have been assured by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Health departments eligible to apply for funding involve territories, states, tribes or tribal agencies.

Applicants must indicate that their capability to rapidly and efficiently expand existing Zika response attempts and further determine the most effective use and dissemination of funds in their respective jurisdictions.

The money is to support Zika prevention and treatment services for health conditions regarded to the Zika virus, CMS claimed.

Funds will be available for healthcare services regarded to the family planning, screening, diagnostic testing, and counseling, medical care, case management and treatment, and making better provider capacity and capability.

Funds to Puerto Rico will go to resources to assist stop transmission of the virus and to give diagnostic, screening and treatment for pregnant ladies, newborns and others, CMS stated.

Congress approved the funds in the Continuing Appropriations and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017, and the Zika Response and Preparedness Act.

Zika virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. The virus can be passed from a pregnant lady to her fetus, causing extreme birth defects.

"This proposed funding will increase attempts to give access to important healthcare services for people, in specific pregnant women and kids, living in areas with local active Zika transmission," stated Vikki Wachino, deputy administrator, CMS.  "Giving instant help to regions impacted by Zika is critical.  Powerful coordination by health departments is important to deal the Zika prevention and treatment needs of people at threat from Zika."