Aumua and Congress Take Action to Fight Zika

Washington, D.C. –Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, and Congress have taken several steps lately to combat the rising number of Zika infections in the United States and Territories. Earlier today, the House passed the Zika Vector Control Act, which eliminates a costly and duplicative permitting process affecting public health protections against Zika and other mosquito borne diseases.

“With our island being a prime target for Zika infections, I am pleased that Congress has taken swift notice and is acting to prevent further outbreaks,” said Amata. “We know that controlling the mosquito population as much as possible will go a long way in eliminating the spread of the virus, and it is essential that we remove any duplicative regulations that could pose as a roadblock to preventing further cases,” continued Amata.

Currently, pesticide users are subjected to a court-created requirement that lawful applications be doubly regulated. Pesticides that are in compliance with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) must also comply with a duplicative and burdensome permitting process. This legislation would prohibit the EPA or a state from requiring this duplicative permit, thereby speeding up the Zika eradication process. Public health pesticide applications are essential in reducing the risk or preventing outbreaks of diseases carried by mosquitos. These products are already fully regulated, and there is no need to put public health at risk by adding more regulatory hurdles. The bill will now move to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

The House is also acting through other measures including, the House Zika Proposal, which allocates targeted resources for Zika prevention and treatment efforts, while still being fully paid for by using leftover funds for the response to the Ebola virus and funds from the Department of Health and Human Service (HHS) Non-Reoccurring Expense Fund (NEF).

This additional funding will be added to the $589 million that has already been repurposed from unused Ebola funds, while leaving $1.6 billion in case future Ebola outbreaks occur. In total, Congress will have allocated $1.2 billion to fight Zika.

“I want our people to know that my colleagues I and take this virus very seriously, and we will continue to do all we can to eliminate any further outbreaks,” said Amata. “There are several other pieces of legislation currently being drafted, which I support, to further combat the disease …I am hopeful that our efforts will be effective, and that we will see a dramatic decrease in new cases soon,” concluded Amata.

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