Senate Health Committee to Hold Zika Hearing on Feb. 24 at 10 a.m.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 4 – Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) today announced the Senate committee overseeing public health policy will hold a hearing on the Zika virus on Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 10 a.m.

Alexander said: “Americans have many questions about the Zika virus, as we have watched news of its spread through Central and South America, as well as recent reports of several cases in the U.S. Our February 24^th hearing will help Congress and the public gain a better understanding of the virus as well as carefully assess what we can do to prevent its spread in South and Central America and how much of a concern this will be here in the United States.”

Murray said: “In order to protect families here at home and abroad from the growing threat of the Zika virus, it’s critical that we have as much information as possible about how this virus works. This hearing presents an important opportunity to continue gathering the facts and focusing on ways to protect women and families from the impacts of this tragic disease.”

The U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services has been asked to participate in this first Senate hearing on the virus. Chairman Alexander will announce witnesses and the hearing location when that information is available.

###