Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. press release, September 13, 2002

MEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1407 YoHt Rood, Suit* 304 lulUrvai*, Morylond 21093 3 1 5 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Henry Fawell Friday, September 1 3, 2002 202/225-306 1 Ehrlich Announces Grant to Combat West Nile Virus Ehrlich Also Joins Congressional Effort for Increased Funding WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Bob Ehrlich (MD-2) announced today that the State of Maryland will receive a $175,000 federal grant to combat the spread of the West Nile virus that has surfaced in 18 of Maryland's 24 jurisdictions this year. In addition, Ehrlich joined a bipartisan congressional effort to increase federal investments in research and treatment of the emerging health threat. “The West Nile virus has claimed sixteen lives this year alone. Last year, six Marylanders were infected with the virus, including three who later died. There is a clear need in Maryland for federal resources that will help state health officials counter a growing health hazard,” Ehrlich stated. The grant is made possible by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which will make its expertise, technical support, and other pertinent resources available to Maryland as the state deals with the spread of the virus. Funding can be used for a number of purposes, including the development or enhancement of epidemiological and laboratory capacity for West Nile and other diseases. The grant is part of $6 million federal effort to help 25 states and the District of Columbia stop the spread of the virus. Ehrlich also joined a bipartisan group of his colleagues this week to advocate greater federal resources to help local communities. Ehrlich requested that Congress invest an additional $40 million for the Centers for Disease Control West Nile virus program and an additional $15 million for the National Institutes of Health to research treatment and a vaccine. In addition, Ehrlich requested that federal investments be made more flexible to allow for the funding of public education services to help families protect children from the hazards of the virus.