Oregon’s senators learned Friday how important Zika virus research is being conducted locally and that more funding is needed.
So far there have been eight Zika cases in Oregon. All somehow related to travel overseas, because the mosquitoes that carries the virus don’t live here.
But scientists at the Oregon National Primate Research Center say they’ve done a lot of work on the virus that causes Dengue Fever and it’s similar to the Zika virus.
Dr. Jay Nelson told the senators they’re bootstrapping Dengue and Zika work together along with 10 other universities.
“And we’re screening libraries of compounds to get leads to make drugs out of and we actually have some leads right now," Nelson said. "But again, these efforts are really hurt by the fact that we don’t have enough funding to really push this out.”
The senators who sit on the appropriations and finance committees say they’re looking for more funds, but are being fought by people who don’t want to money spent on Planned Parenthood or abortions.
Doctors say pregnant women and their children are most susceptible to Zika.
Copyright 2016 Oregon Public Broadcasting
