Frommer Calls for Additional Funding in State Budget To Fight West Nile Virus
Assembly member Dario Frommer (D-Glendale) has proposed making two changes to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's (R) proposed fiscal year 2004-2005 state budget to fund efforts to fight the spread of West Nile virus, the Los Angeles Times reports. West Nile virus, which is spread to humans through infected mosquitoes, is characterized by symptoms ranging from headache and fever to encephalitis, meningitis and acute paralysis and death, in rare cases. To date this year, 15 cases of the virus have been confirmed in the state. Frommer is asking members of the budget conference committee to allocate $1 million to the Department of Health Services to develop a strategic plan for surveillance, prevention and control of West Nile virus. In addition, Frommer is asking committee members to restore $12 million in proposed funding cuts to vector control districts across the state. "California is experiencing the most serious epidemic of the West Nile virus in 50 years. I'm calling for the budget committee to reverse course, I'm calling for the governor to reverse course, and to change the plan to rip off $12 million from mosquito abatement," Frommer said. He added that committee members indicated support for allocating the $1 million to DHS but had concerns about restoring funding to vector control districts, according to the Times (Kleinbaum, Los Angeles Times, 7/10).
This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.