Twain Harte, CA…In the face of news just this week that the Zika virus has now taken firm hold in the U.S., 4th Congressional District candidate and physician Dr. Bob Derlet said 4th CD incumbent Tom McClintock’s silence on plans to fight the deadly and debilitating virus should be worrisome for district voters. Dr. Derlet said California harbors mosquitoes capable of spreading the Zika virus. News reports have confirmed at least 15 cases have been documented in Florida, spread by Florida mosquitoes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention took the rare and possibly unprecedented step in urging people not to travel to parts of the U.S.

Dr. Derlet, a primary care doctor and former Emergency Room chief at the University of California Medical Center, said he’s disturbed by McClintock’s inaction.

“My opponent hasn’t taken any steps to support the $1.8 billion plan to limit the spread of the Zika virus. He, instead, took a vacation when the proposed legislation was introduced,” said Dr. Derlet, who noted the virus can cause severe birth defects, such as microcephaly, in which babies are both with very small head and underdeveloped brains.

“By now, most have heard about the Zika virus and its devastating effects on babies born to women who became infected during pregnancy. Many states in the U.S. – even California – harbor mosquitoes capable of transmitting the disease. Complications in adults infected with Zika include internal bleeding and polio-like Guillain Barre syndrome,” said Dr. Derlet.

“As a physician, I study and teach programs on the Zika virus to the healthcare community. As prominent and infamous as its threats are, there remains much that is unknown about the virus. Studying this disease to better understand its effects and finding ways to combat the disease requires funding.

“Congress has the ability to help fight Zika by providing funding for research on the virus and the means to protect our nation from this disease. Astonishingly, bills to fund this research have stalled in Congress,” explained Dr. Derlet. “As the district’s representative in Washington, I will fight for resources to combat the Zika threat and other public health threats not adequately addressed.”

The 4th district includes Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Mariposa, and Tuolumne counties plus portions of Fresno, Madera, Nevada, and Placer counties.