Should we be shocked by Congress's impasse on funding of Zika virus preparedness?I personally do not think that this is surprising. Yes, there is heightened partisan bickering over seemingly everything at the moment so politics may play a role.
However, in an interview for the National Journal, published here, I express my concern that the perception of risk may be driving (or stalling) the process. Despite the potential for significant public health consequences (children born with microcephaly), Zika does not pose the risk of a highly lethal and contagious viral hemorrhagic fever such as Ebola.
Absent that risk, and until there is significant autochthonous transmission of Zika in the USA, funding and awareness may be relegated to the proverbial back burner.
