skip to main content

Subcommittee Examines Continuing Zika Threat

On May 23, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing, “U.S. Public Health Response to the Zika Virus: Continuing Challenges.” The hearing focused on federal efforts to address the outbreak of the Zika virus, which remains a “significant threat, particularly to pregnant women and their infants.” The hearing noted that one in ten women in the U.S. infected with the Zika virus during pregnancy had a baby with virus-related birth defects.

The following witnesses testified:

  • Dr. Luciana Borio, acting chief scientist, Food and Drug Administration;
  • Dr. Rick A. Bright, director, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority; deputy assistant secretary, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Department of Health and Human Services;
  • Dr. Anthony Fauci, director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health;
  • Dr. Timothy Persons, chief scientist, Government Accountability Office; and
  • Dr. Lyle R. Petersen, director, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.