The federal government granted Texas just over $6 million Wednesday morning to help fight off the Zika virus, less than a week after Zika-carrying mosquitoes reached U.S. soil in Florida.
The money, which includes $720,000 granted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday, will go towards further Zika research and ensuring that affected infants and their families receive the proper care.
State lawmakers requested the funding amid news of the virus spreading to the United States earlier this year. In June, Governor Greg Abbott asked federal health officials for approximately $11 million to help the state combat the virus.
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas has had 93 reported cases of Zika. That count includes three pregnant women, one infant infected before birth and one person who had sexual contact with a traveler.
“We do have the type of mosquito that can transmit it in Texas,” Chris Van Duesen with the Texas Dept. of State Health Services said, “So it is not going to be at all surprising if we start to see a few local cases in Texas.”
Van Duesen said it’s just a matter of time before that number gets exponentially bigger.
Researchers have found a link between the Zika virus in pregnant women and microcephaly, a birth defect which causes babies to be born with abnormally small brains and skulls.
“Because of the effect that Zika can have on unborn babies, our biggest concern is pregnant women,” Van Duesen said. “We want to make sure pregnant women get the message that they should protect themselves and protect their children as well.”
Pest control companies in Central Texas reported a boom in business amid news Zika reaching the United States.
“We’re getting a lot of phone calls for that exact reason,” Steve Sloan, General Manager of Mosquito Nix said. “I think the unknown with it and the fact that it has just now hit our shores for real in Florida, I think it’s really caused some bit of a panic.”
Sloan said his phone has been ringing non-stop with concerned residents.
“This particular species goes everywhere,” Sloan said. “So just because we are seeing them in Florida doesn’t mean that those carrying it haven’t already made it here.”
Sloan said with such a high demand it is hard to get to everyone, so in the mean time he tells customers the best thing they can do is get rid of any standing water on their property.
Currently there is no vaccine or treatment for the Zika virus. For more information and updates on the virus visit www.texaszika.org.
