WASHINGTON — President Obama received a briefing from top government health officials on the Zika virus Tuesday, and urged faster research to develop better diagnostic tests and vaccines to stop the spread of the virus, the White House announced.
It was the first official acknowledgment that Obama is receiving updates on the virus, which is spreading throughout South and Central America and the Caribbean, and that the White House is working to formulate a response.
Obama met with Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr. Thomas Frieden, and Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, as well as other health and national security advisers, according to an official White House summary of the meeting.
This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers
Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and networking platform access.
Already have an account? Log in
Already have an account? Log in
To submit a correction request, please visit our Contact Us page.
STAT encourages you to share your voice. We welcome your commentary, criticism, and expertise on our subscriber-only platform, STAT+ Connect