CDC Announces Supplemental Funding Opportunity for Continued Zika Response in 2017
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is announcing the availability of about $70 million in supplemental funding to states, cities, and territories to support continued efforts to protect Americans from Zika virus.
The funding, distributed through CDC’s Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases (ELC) Cooperative Agreement, will further support activities to protect the health of Americans, especially pregnant women, including epidemiologic surveillance and investigation, improving mosquito control and monitoring, and strengthening laboratory capacity. Funding also will support participation in the U.S. Zika Pregnancy Registry to monitor pregnant women with Zika and their infants.
States were notified of the funding opportunity announcement on Oct. 19, 2016. All ELC applicants can request funds. The distribution of funds will be determined based on factors such as Zika disease burden, current laboratory and mosquito surveillance and control capacity, the presence of the Zika virus vector (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes), and local Zika virus transmission. CDC continues to work with states and territories to provide emergency resources for critical needs while the agency completes the necessary reviews and approvals of all applications.
The deadline for applications is 11:59 p.m. ET on Nov. 20. For more information on CDC’s ELC Cooperative Agreement, visit the ELC webpage: http://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dpei/epidemiology-laboratory-capacity.html.
A Helping Hand: Innovative Approaches to Expanding Hand Hygiene Programs in Acute Care Settings
July 9th 2025Who knew candy, UV lights, and a college kid in scrubs could double hand hygiene adherence? A Pennsylvania hospital’s creative shake-up of its infection prevention program shows that sometimes it takes more than soap to get hands clean—and keep them that way.
Broadening the Path: Diverse Educational Routes Into Infection Prevention Careers
July 4th 2025Once dominated by nurses, infection prevention now welcomes professionals from public health, lab science, and respiratory therapy—each bringing unique expertise that strengthens patient safety and IPC programs.
How Contaminated Is Your Stretcher? The Hidden Risks on Hospital Wheels
July 3rd 2025Despite routine disinfection, hospital surfaces, such as stretchers, remain reservoirs for harmful microbes, according to several recent studies. From high-touch areas to damaged mattresses and the effectiveness of antimicrobial coatings, researchers continue to uncover persistent risks in environmental hygiene, highlighting the critical need for innovative, continuous disinfection strategies in health care settings.
