HHS adds $4 million to states' West Nile virus coffer

Washington-TheCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced it will provide an additional $4 millionto states hardest hit by the West Nile virus.

The recent allocation is added to the $10 million made availableto states in early August to help strengthen their efforts to combat the virus.

"We are committed to doing all we can to help statesmonitor the spread of West Nile virus, detect new cases and protect theircitizens from this epidemic," says Secretary Tommy G. Thompson, U.S.Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

According to CDC officials, the latest funding is designated forvirus identification purposes, expansion of laboratories for viral testing, andcontinued monitoring of infection in birds, horses and mosquitoes. Theadditional money will also aid states in creating public awareness campaigns onWest Nile virus.

In other news, HHS has named one DVM to serve as part of a21-member Council on Public Health Preparedness, established by Thompson.

Frederick A. Murphy, DVM, Ph.D., professor at the University ofCalifornia, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, was selected to join thecouncil.

The advisory group,which met for the first time in late August, will counsel HHS on appropriateactions to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies, such as bioterrorismacts.