Zika funding should go to local communities

Staff report

COLUMBUS

State Rep. John Boccieri is urging the Ohio Department of Health to distribute the $1 million in Zika funding received directly to local communities.

The money comes from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Boccieri, of Poland, D-59th, remains concerned about information from local boards of health indicating the ODH intends to keep these resources for state-led efforts instead of distributing it to local communities.

The award comes as two Mahoning County residents have tested positive for the Zika virus. Statewide, there are 28 confirmed cases of Zika in Ohio, but none of them has been attributed to locally acquired mosquito bites.

“I’m glad to see Ohio getting some support to combat this virus, but this money has to get to the local communities,” Boccieri said. “The state already maintains disaster readiness funds for statewide efforts, but local health departments are the first responders here and throughout Ohio. Communities need this funding to build mosquito-control plans and implement active aerial sprays locally. For the state to keep this money is to defy the intent of CDC’s grant, which was meant to bolster not only states, but more importantly, local communities’ ability to prepare for, prevent and respond to Zika.”

Boccieri noted that the state should prioritize higher-risk areas in its allocation of funding to combat the Zika virus.

“I would like to see this money directed toward communities that have been tracked by the CDC as posing a health risk, those that have been determined to be stronger breeding grounds for mosquito-borne diseases,” the Poland lawmaker said.