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The $4 million is in addition to the $10 million that was made available to states two weeks ago to help them strengthen their efforts to combat the virus and is to be available immediately.

Secretary Thompson is directing the CDC to make sure its expertise, technical support and other pertinent resources are fully available to states as they deal with the spread of the virus. The CDC has deployed 20 epidemiologists and other clinicians to Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas. CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding went to Louisiana to meet with Gov. Mike Foster.

"We are committed to doing all we can to help states monitor the spread of West Nile virus, detect new cases and protect their citizens from this epidemic," Secretary Thompson said. "We're working aggressively to make sure states have access to all the expertise and assistance our department can provide in addressing this virus."

The additional money brings total CDC funding to states for West Nile virus so far this year to more than $31 million. CDC has provided approximately $54 million to states, cities and territories since West Nile virus was first detected in the United States in 1999.

"This latest funding will help states with West Nile virus activity to rapidly identify new cases of the virus, expand laboratory capacity for this testing, and continue to track the spread of the virus through the monitoring of infection in birds, horses and mosquitoes," Dr. Gerberding said. The additional money will also assist states in creating public awareness campaigns to help people reduce their exposure to West Nile virus.

West Nile virus activity has been reported in 37 states and the District of Columbia and New York City. As of August 20, 253 human cases of West Nile virus, with 12 deaths, have been reported in 12 states. Eight deaths from West Nile have been reported in Louisiana, two in Mississippi, and one each in Illinois and Texas. CDC currently has teams in three states -- Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas.

So far, CDC has awarded $3.4 million to Louisiana, with $1.3 million sent to Texas and $300,000 to Mississippi. Additional money will go to Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin and the cities of Chicago and Houston by Aug. 30.

Additionally, the following cities and states are eligible to apply for grants: Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, New York City, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.

In addition to providing financial assistance and sending experts to communities, CDC has activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to continue to monitor the disease and to provide around-the-clock assistance and consultation with state and local health officials.

HHS' programs are part of the federal government's multi-department effort to combat the West Nile virus. The Interagency West Nile Virus working group -- made up of HHS, the Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Defense, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Commerce -- has been charged by Secretary Thompson to assure that the there is a coordinated federal response to emergencies related to mosquito-transmitted diseases.

The working group also is working to share information, enhance surveillance, identify gaps in current federal approaches to these diseases and develop methods to support state and local mosquito-control programs in the United States.

Additionally, USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's (APHIS) Veterinary Services program investigates suspect cases of neurologic illness in equines and tests them for West Nile virus infection. APHIS' Wildlife Services program also plays an integral role in statewide West Nile virus surveillance efforts, by working on behalf of several state health departments.

Since the detection of the virus in the United States, APHIS worked to facilitate the development of an equine vaccine. Last summer, APHIS granted a conditional license for a West Nile virus vaccine to Fort Dodge Animal Health, and more than 3 million doses have been distributed nationwide for equine use.

FEMA also continues to consult with and provide guidance to federal, state and local partners to assess the public health threat, monitor new developments and identify resources within federal agencies to slow the spread of the West Nile Virus.

CDC is operating its public hotlines for questions about West Nile virus. The English number is 1-888-246-2675; the Spanish hotline is 1-888-246-2857, and the number for the hearing-impaired hotline is 1-866-874-2646.

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