Manchin, Capito Announce More Than $2 Million for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases in West Virginia

Charleston, WV – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $2,027,042 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR). This funding is made available through CDC’s Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases (ELC) Cooperative Agreement, and will help West Virginia health departments to detect, respond to, control, and prevent infectious diseases.

 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that we must be prepared for any infectious disease threats that may face our nation. In the last decade alone we’ve had an H1N1 flu outbreak, Ebola, Zika, and now COVID-19. I am pleased HHS is investing in the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources to help the state detect and respond, as well as prevent infectious diseases. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for funding and resources to help keep West Virginia healthy and prepared for future threats to our people,” Senator Manchin said.

 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of providing the necessary resources to limit the spread of infectious diseases. The dedicated health care workforce in West Virginia steps up every day to provide essential services to their communities, and this funding will provide the support our state health department needs to improve their capabilities and overall level of care. I will continue to advocate for the resources they need to do their jobs safely and efficiently,” Senator Capito said.