SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) – Puerto Rico is to receive $250 million in federal funds to fight an increase in Zika cases after the governor declared a public health emergency.
The U.S. territory’s representative in Congress says the money will be used in part to help boost health services provided to pregnant women. Pedro Pierluisi said Monday that the money also will be used for prevention and detection.
The island has 22 confirmed cases of the mosquito-borne virus. Among them is a pregnant woman in her first trimester and a man who developed a temporary paralysis condition known as Guillain-Barre.
Researchers have tentatively linked the virus to birth defects.
Puerto Rico To Receive $250M From US Government To Fight Zika – KTRS | St Louis News and Talk Radio | The Big 5… https://t.co/09VkARklZK