Arkansas receives grant to combat Zika virus

Arkansas is receiving a $5.6 million grant to combat the Zika virus from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The award is part of $60 million the CDC is awarding states, cities and territories, a CDC press release said. On July 1, CDC awarded $25 million. Another $10 million in grants is expected to be awarded Aug. 1. The Obama administration has requested Congress to provide $1.9 billion in additional funding.

Meg Mirivel, Arkansas Department of Health public information officer, said funding would go toward Zika testing in the department’s public health lab as well as for hiring new staff positions, including a state entomologist to study insects. She said the department hopes to expand mosquito surveillance.

Six Zika cases associated with travel have been reported in Arkansas. No locally acquired cases have been reported. Mirivel said the department has tested 144 people.

The Zika virus spreads primarily through mosquito bites but also can spread through sexual intercourse. The most common symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis, or red eyes. Symptoms are usually mild and last several days to a week. If infection occurs during pregnancy, it can cause severe brain defects in the fetus such as microcephaly, a condition resulting in a baby having a small head and having conditions such as seizures and developmental disabilities. No vaccine or treatment exists.

The virus has gained attention because it first appeared in Brazil, where the Summer Olympics are scheduled to begin August 5. Several athletes have decided not to participate in the Games.