American Academy of Pediatrics scores $350,000 to support fight against Zika

The Department of Health and Human Services announced Thursday it would award $350,000 to the American Academy of Pediatrics to help children who may have been infected with the ZIka virus.

AAP will use the funds to provide technical assistance and education to clinicians at community health centers and other healthcare sites around the country.

Many people infected with Zika virus won't have symptoms or will have only mild ones but Zika infection during pregnancy can cause a birth defect of the brain called microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects.

[Also: HHS gives $8 million to Moderna Therapeutics to speed development of Zika vaccine]

HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration and Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response collaborated to provide the additional funds through HRSA's cooperative agreement with AAP.

"This funding is an opportunity to enhance our existing work implementing the medical home model for children, particularly children with special healthcare needs, to help address emerging health concerns related to the Zika virus," HRSA Acting Administrator Jim Macrae said in a statement.

[Also: Doctors, experts stress need for extended monitoring of Zika-exposed infants]

HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Nicole Lurie, MD, added that clinicians worldwide have limited experience caring for infants or children of women exposed to the Zika virus during pregnancy, and there is no network to connect providers newly caring for these patients with one another and with those who have relevant expertise.

"The AAP effort can help us bridge this gap so that providers can learn from one another and be better prepared to support and care for their patients," Lurie added. AAP will put the funds toward technical assistance and education for clinicians and community health centers dealing with people infected with the virus.

Twitter: @Bernie_HITN