Washington  - Representative Thaddeus G. McCotter (R-Livonia) today voted to fund efforts to stop the spread of the dangerous West Nile Virus.

 

“This legislation will increase effective mosquito control; reduce exposure to the virus; and most importantly, save lives,” said McCotter.

 

H.R. 342, the Mosquito Abatement for Safety and Health Act, authorizes the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide grants and technical assistance to states and counties to prevent and control the mosquito-born disease.  Counties will develop and operate abatement programs with the funds and states will be able to coordinate mosquito programs statewide.

 

The State Department of Community Health reported Michigan was one of the states affected most seriously by the virus and Oakland and Wayne Counties, located in McCotter’s district, were hit hardest among Michigan counties with Oakland County suffering the loss of 20 residents and 154 falling ill and Wayne County reporting 149 cases. 

 

“This funding is a critical component of statewide prevention plans,” said McCotter.  “Eliminating mosquito populations in our neighborhoods eliminates the threat of West Nile Virus infections.”