New York Senators Urge Action On Zika Virus

WAMC Composite Photo by Dave Lucas

On Sunday Democrat Charles Schumer unveiled a three-point plan to address the virus .

Schumer is calling on the U.S. Agency for International Development to increase the country's involvement in Zika-affected nations. He's also asking the CDC and National Institutes of Health to develop a vaccine and treatment, and is also asking the World Health Organization to declare a health emergency.

Last week, Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand urged the head of the NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to accelerate development of a vaccine and treatment for the mosquito-borne disease. The virus is believed to cause severe birth defects.

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Lucas Willard is a news reporter and host at WAMC Northeast Public Radio, which he joined in 2011. He produces and hosts The Best of Our Knowledge and WAMC Listening Party.