Griffith Announces $191,163 HHS Grant to Virginia Tech

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded Virginia Tech, based in Blacksburg, Virginia, a $191,163 grant. The funding supports research into the transmission and development of the Mayaro virus and its different strains. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement: “Mosquito-borne illnesses affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide. “This grant for more than $191,000 helps Virginia Tech conduct research of a developing mosquito-borne illness impacting communities in South America and the Caribbean.” BACKGROUND According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are no vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat Mayaro. The HHS office responsible for this grant is the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). As a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Griffith serves as the Chairman of the Health Subcommittee. ###