New legislation would increase funding for the CDC’s mosquito response efforts.

U.S. Senator Angus King introduced the bipartisan "Strengthening Mosquito Abatement for Safety and Health (SMASH) 2.0 Act" to enhance the CDC's mosquito control efforts and counteract the spread of mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile Virus. Cosponsored by Senators Marco Rubio, Rick Scott, and Tina Smith, this bill aims to allocate additional funds to the CDC in response to the growing number of mosquito-related illnesses in the U.S. Building on the success of the original SMASH Act from 2019, the SMASH 2.0 Act, now part of the PAHPA reauthorization, will:

• Fund the CDC’s Mosquito Abatement program at $100M/year,
• Expand training and support for public health staff,
• Coordinate stockpiling of disease control products with the ASPR. Endorsed by multiple organizations, this bill prioritizes proactive measures against mosquito threats and evolving health challenges.

Read More: https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-king-introduces-bipartisan-bill-to-strengthen-fight-against-mosquito-borne-diseases