Health: Many dying from infectious diseases

Re: “Obama asks $1.8 billion for Zika” (TNT, 2-9).

The spread of the Zika virus is a reminder of what it feels like to not have a solution to an infectious disease. Can you imagine what it feels like to live where mothers and children die every day from infectious diseases for which we do have a cure?

Right now 16,000 children are dying every day before their fifth birthday.

The money invested by the United States through USAID has helped families worldwide in dealing with infectious diseases. Right now there are bills in the U.S. Senate and House, the Reach Act, that would help USAID to be even more effective and not require extra funding.

Rep. Derek Kilmer and Sen. Patty Murray have signed on as sponsors of the Reach Act.

Please urge Sen. Maria Cantwell to also support the legislation.

This story was originally published February 9, 2016 at 3:54 PM with the headline "Health: Many dying from infectious diseases."