U.S. awards 16 mln USD to states, territories to fight Zika

The U.S. federal government has awarded 16 million U.S. dollars to 40 states and territories to help them fight the Zika virus, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Tuesday.

The money will be used to establish, enhance, and maintain information-gathering systems to rapidly detect microcephaly, a serious birth defect of the brain, and other adverse outcomes caused by Zika virus infection, the CDC said in a statement.

The funding will also help states and territories ensure that infants with birth defects are referred to appropriate health and social services.

"It is critical to identify infants with birth defects related to Zika virus so we can support them and their families," said CDC Director Tom Frieden.

"This CDC funding provides real-time data about the Zika epidemic as it unfolds in the United States and territories and will help those most devastated by this virus."

Last month, the U.S. agency provides 25 million dollars to states and territories as part of its preparedness and response funding to areas at risk of outbreaks of Zika.

On Monday, the U.S. CDC advised pregnant women not to travel to a Miami neighborhood where 14 Zika infections caused by local mosquitoes were confirmed. Endit