The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a warning on Monday, advising pregnant women not to travel to a specific area in Miami where at least 14 people have been infected with the Zika virus. U.S. Senator Charles Grassley had reached out to the CDC and the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at the Department of Health and Human Services last Friday, questioning why the two federal agencies have been slow to distribute $589 million in funds to fight the virus. As of Monday, the only reply Grassley had received is that the agencies are working on responses to his inquiries. He says that more than $1.7 billion, including an additional $110 million for a rapid action response to unanticipated public health emergencies had been allocated for this fiscal year’s budget. “The taxpayers have the right to expect that these agencies are ready to protect us all from public health threats,” Grassley said. “Agency actions ought to reflect the level of urgency in agency comments about the Zika outbreak.” He says he is looking forward to answers on how the money is being spent. Constituents will be able to discuss this issue and many others as Grassley continues his 99 county Iowa tour with stops in Harrison, Shelby and Guthrie Counties next week. He will be hosting a town hall meeting at the Guthrie County Hospital on Thursday, Aug. 11, from 10 to 11 a.m.
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