Now. One of the biggest issues that isnt being talked about is education. Im also a union president. One of the thing that is should be talked about is the regime account yabblet ability lack. Bernie sanders. Hes the only candidate who is going to make the major change that is we need to make our country back. The system isnt broken its fixed and we need to make it right for the average american. He speaks the truth. I believe it is important or young voters. Next arks look at the long term threat of the zika virus. This House Foreign Affairs subcommittee hearing is just under two hours. His subcommittee on Global Health. The subcommittee will come to order. Welcome. In 1947, in a room more remote area of uganda, virus,sts discovered a called the zika virus in the forest of which it was found. It is an epidemic for africa and southeast asia. Exclusively almost mosquito,e bite of a and aggressive daytime biter. It significantly diminished in this hemisphere until the recently resurfacing of the disease. We know a great deal about these disease factors, but there is much scientists do not know about the virus itself. Lack of knowledge and misinformation has created fear among many. According to the World Health Organization, the reason we do not know or about this include the relatively small proportion, one in five of infected people develop symptoms. A virus that is only detectable for a few days. The failure of a current test has distinguished zika from other viruses. The World Health Organization recommends that all people in areas with potentially infected mosquitoes, especially pregnant women, where protective clothing and repellents and stay indoors with the windows closed or screen. Postpone travel to affected areas. Existtly, no therapeutics to treat the zika virus, nor is there a vaccine, but that may not be for ever. One of our distinguished witnesses today, the director of institute will explain the scope of the research on the zika virus and the control. Lessons learned of years of Malaria Control have applicability to the zika virus. Distinguished speakers include the cdc mendez who has. Been here and has done a wonderful job on all of these issues. The u. S. Government has for quite some time, promoted tactics such as insecticides, mosquito nets, window and door screens and the use of strong that safe test to eradicate mosquitoes. The programs are tailored to developing countries. With the reemergence of this in the Southern United States and hawaii, we have to step up our domestic efforts to control mosquitoes before warmer weather leads to an explosion of mosquito population leading to an epidemic in the homeland. , oneding to the documents of the areas most effective, the ambassador to the United States, the brazilian government has displayed 220,000 troops to fight the vector of the infection by visiting communities, educating the population and health eliminating mosquito breeding grounds. Experts cite possible links to pregnant mothers and disorders affecting their unborn children. Noy are quick to point out definitive proof of such a linkage exists. According to brazils ambassador , this defect can cause other diseases. Experts are dealing with this and it requires an indepth study and analysis. Ran, thery that just president of columbia has said and all of the cases, there is not one case of this birth defect. In announcing the administrations proposal of 1. 8 billion to combat the zika virus, the white house statement said there may be a connection between the zika virus and disorders experienced by newborns in affected countries. He is the director at the pan america Health Organization and said there is a broad impacts for these birth defects, from mild to severe. Boston hospitals know that children with this birth defect experience normal intelligence and no difficulty with relationships or any other aspect of their lives, however many children with the disease, especially in severe cases have mild learning disabilities, impaired motor functions and speech delay. In the meantime, we much work hard to prevent the infection and provide compassionate ways to ensure any child born with disabilities from this or any other infection is welcomed, loved and gets the care he or she needs. Todayndez will testify that we need to expand best practices for supporting children. Parents with children of disabilities need to be supported as well. Journalists born ,ith this disorder told the bbc and a february 5 interview, that the condition is a box of surprises. You may suffer from Serious Problems or you may not. Says, day i was born, he the doctor said i had no chance of survival. He will not walk, talk, and he like many others found out the doctor was wrong. I grew up and went to university and now i am a journalist and run a blog. People need to put their prejudice aside and learn about the injuries. This hearing will look at the current implications of the zika virus and we have assembled experts and Health Leaders from the center for Disease Control prevention. Understandelp us where we are and where we go from here. I was just talking her statically that for more than four years i have urged the passage of my bill, the tropical diseases act, and dr. Mendez has ive it wassupport approved last month. 2011, we need more study in efforts to identify tropical diseases and find diagnostics. Time, the west nile virus was quickly making its way across the globe, including the United States. The ebola virus, first discovered in remote areas of central africa, caused a Global Health crisis only two years ago. Finally, and i say this with some concern, for the second consecutive year, the administration has slashed funding for Global Health accounts. Includes a 19 cut for Global Programs on tuberculosis, the world leading Infectious Disease killer. I know that is not your prerogative, but that is what was sent up to capitol hill. The administration is being shortsighted with tropical diseases, cutting that program by 15 . In the face of the Infectious Disease epidemics including tuberculosis, west nile virus, ebola and now zika virus, the administrations disregard is unacceptable. We must provide a sufficient resources to the study of tropical diseases before the next crisis appears. The study ofes these diseases, and in the year 2000 and even most recently, two years ago, legislation on autism and i thinkcies, that has had a huge impact on combating that developmental disability. Hopefully we will get some traction on that legislation. I would like to yield to the distinguished chairman, my good friend mr. Duncan. The chairman, chairman smith for the joint hearing and i appreciate us being involved. Subcommitteesphere is wanting to get engaged in this issue because we are seeing this virus here. There is a lot of concern about the allies and neighbors in the region. Ago, folks in my district had never heard of the zika virus. T is virtually unknown it has now exploded with cases in 26 countries, territories and the World Health Organization rejecting it will likely spread to almost every single country in the americas. Symptoms of the majority of people who contract zika are quite mild, links causing defects to unborn babies has created panic around the region. Last month, purcell recorded having over 4000 suspected cases brazil recorded having 4000 suspected cases. Further investigation has justrmed this defect in 400 of the suspected 4000 cases, and only 17 which tested positive for zika. A real threatains for pregnant mothers. Just last week, columbia confirmed the first three deaths with zika patients. And you those 15, the panamerican Health Organization issued an alert regarding the first confirmed zika case in brazil. Last month, the center for Disease Control issued a level to alert for pregnant women for any travel to zika infected places. The spready declared is the gut and international emergency. President obama has since responded for this week this week for congress to provide an additional 1. 8 billion to address the zika virus. I am deeply concerned of the impact this could have on future populations. Mosquitoes are simply part of everyday life here, especially in poor communities and where many Government Health care systems are not ready to handle a mass influx of these defects and zika cases, in particular, venezuela is reporting having over 4700 zika cases without basic health care. It cannot provide the needed care for women and it is deeply worrisome, with some predicting venezuela could see the regions worst zika cases. In contrast, brazil, the host of the olympics in august, has made huge progress, deploying hundreds of thousands of troops to help educate the population about prevention and to work with United StatesInternational Community to develop treatments. Given the rapid spread of zika virus in the americas, countries have tried to buy time to address the problems involving women and postpregnancy. El salvador has issued these recommendations. These governments may try to delay the spread of the virus, many do not have the luxury of simply choosing the way crime and violence plague the countries, and women are involved in the crosshairs. On february 5, the human high commissioner for the human rights call latin american countries infected by the zika virus to increase these i guess. They have some of the strongest loss on the books protecting the unborn. These latin american countries ban abortion completely while cuba has legalized abortion, making it widely available. This push for more Abortion Access is heartbreaking, especially because there are different degrees of this birth defect, and some children may go on to live very normal lives. Regardless, i believe every person, including in unborn child is made in the image of god, and therefore has inherent worth. We must do everything we can to support the women in latin america and the women in the caribbean facing difficult circumstances. In conclusion, as the witnesses will provide testimony of countries around the world, especially in the western hemisphere will fight and virus, against the zika while some intensely working together to improve health care and address the needs of women and the unborn child. With that, mr. Chairman, i yield back. Thank you very much. Thank you mr. Chairman. Virus, this isa going to be a challenge. Certainly, the mosquito we are dealing with is not an easy one to eradicate. , but not easy to prevent the purpose of this hearing is to make sure we get information out and not to give misinformation. Knowledge, the spread of misinformation can create panic, and what we want to do is we assure the public that we are and thisis outbreak epidemic very seriously. We need to be doing things in a responsible way. I look forward to the testimony ofwitnesses on how we our witnesses on how we are approaching this. How we are utilizing the funds. There is a lot that we do not know, and they need to come up with more rapid diagnostics. We certainly need to understand the extent of folks that are infected. The vast majority of folks are asymptomatic. We also know this heightened risk in women of childbearing age and women that are currently pregnant, and we certainly want to hear the testimony of the witnesses in regard to what we can be doing. Istainly what we can do liberalize the access to contraception, making sure that more women of childbearing age accesscted regions have to health care. It is about making sure those women who are not planning on getting pregnant, have the ability to terminate the pregnancy until we understand what we are dealing with. Countries need to dedicate resources to access to Family Planning services, contraceptives, birth control. This is incredibly important. For u. S. Citizens that are. Lanning on travel obviously, if you are of childbearing age, we would urge you to take caution. If you are pregnant, i would adhere to the travel restrictions. My sense is we would urge those women it currently pregnant not to travel to affected areas. That, given the interconnectedness of the globe that we have started to see some zika virus cases pop up in the United States. I would be curious, my senses these are generally folks that have traveled in infected areas and are returning. I would also be curious about the epidemic terms and where we are seeing the virus, we may be , saliva and semen other bodily fluids. I applaud the panel here. I am looking at this as a healthcare professional, and i would urge that we do not panic area i would urge that we collect the data and information , and if folks are traveling to infected areas, take the usual precautions. If you are off childbearing age, take those precautions. I would urge that we do use some of the resources the president has requested to make access to full contraception more available for women of childbearing age in these infected regions. That is one simple thing we can do to prevent the congenital abnormalities. I do not think anyone argues that that is not good medicine or in good prevention. Witnessesward to the and again, thank you. I would like to yield to the western hemisphere committee. This is my good calling from new jersey. Thank you, chairman. Thank you to the witnesses. I know how much you care about world health, and for people, this certainly is a situation that we have to deal with right now. Clarity on the virus and its effects and its treatment make it more important that we respond aggressively, more than we have the other diseases. I am very concerned that we have the olympics, a lot of people , and i thinkazil the brazilian people should be that the crisis i do notspur because think anyone would go to the olympics if you have a situation like this panic. I want to hear what the panel has to say, and i want to thank the chairman again and the Ranking Member for holding this hearing. Thank you. Thank you very much. I would like to acknowledge the evolution. Nd ecology she has provided us testimony in with that objection, it will be made part of the record. I want to introduce the panel. Starting with the director for the center of Disease Control since 2009. He has dedicated himself to fighting diseases. He led new york citys program that controls tuberculosis and reduce cases by 80 . He has helped to build a Tuberculosis Control Program that has saved more than 3 million lives. As a commissioner to the new york health department, he led programs that decreased illness and death. He has received numerous awards and has published more than 200 scientific articles. I want to go to the director of the National Institute of allergy and illness. He has been a director since 1984. He has overseen Extensive Research to preventing treatingg and in diseases. He has made numerous discoveries , and is one of the most cited scientists in the field. He served as one of the key advisors to the white house and on the global aids crisis. He has worked on disease threats such as ebola. He is one of the principal architects of the president s emerging plan for aids relief. I would hear from dr. Mendez, the administrator for Global Health. He has served since 2011. He adjoined he joined the Leadership Team to shape Global Health efforts to impact developing countries. Strategyking global and the transformation of Health Systems in africa as well as asia. He also served as director of Knowledge Management at the World Health Organization. Document does is Board Certified dr. Mendez is a Board Certified. Thank you veryn much for calling this hearing and for the opportunity to discuss zika with you. We look forward to a full and open discussion. I want to start on the outset with some basic facts. First, we are quite literally discovering more about zika every single day. Clock working around the to find out as much as we can, as quickly as we can to inform the public and do everything we can to reduce the risk in pregnant women. Zika is new and new diseases can theyary, particularly when may affect the most vulnerable among us. Right now, the most important thing for americans to know is this, if you are pregnant, we recommend you not go to a place where zika is spreading. If you are pregnant and live in an area where zika is spreading, do everything you can to protect yourself against mosquito bites. Mosquito that spreads this virus is difficult to control. I will talk about that more in a bit, but it is an important point. I want to think about what we can do to respond to zika in the shortterm and longerterm. The cdc is working 24 7 to get more information. We have elevated our level of oneonse on monday to level last month. Are committed to continuing to share information as quickly as possible with the public and health care providers, policymakers so that people can make the best possible decisions about health based on the recent and accurate data. Continue to provide and update our guidance as soon as we know and learn more. This is the latest in a series of unpredicted, and in many cases, unpredictable of threats. It emphasizes how crucially important it is that we continue to strengthen the systems that will find, stop and prevent Health Threats wherever they emerged over the world. Other countries and protect americans at home. I want to start with what we know. As you said, mr. Chairman, the virus was first identified in 1947. In 2007. Rst identified it is believed to cause no symptoms and 80 of the people effected, and mild symptoms in virtually all of the rest. , i mosquito that spreads it will s