On the recordApril 28, 2016
I rise today to discuss this urgent public health emergency. I am honored to be here with Senator Murray, Senator Mikulski, Senator Heitkamp, and Senator Hirono as we look at this serious crisis facing our Nation, and that is the Zika virus. The World Health Organization has declared that Zika is spreading explosively and will affect nearly all countries in North America and South America. The virus has already infected nearly 400 Americans who have traveled abroad from 40 States, including my home State of Minnesota. Over 500 people in Puerto Rico have the disease. Nearly all of them contracted the virus locally. These numbers will only continue to grow as the warmer months bring more mosquitoes that transmit this disease. In fact, researchers calculate that 60 percent of the people in our country live in an area that will likely be affected. Zika is a rapidly evolving mosquito-borne virus. Most infected patients develop mild flu-like symptoms that last for a week. However, the virus has devastating consequences for growing families. Researchers have now confirmed what many feared was true: A pregnant woman infected with Zika is at risk of giving birth to a child with microcephaly. This heartbreaking, lifelong condition results in newborns with abnormally small heads. These children will need increased access to health care and developmental services, such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.…
