White House to transfer Ebola funds to combat Zika virus WASHINGTON — Congressional officials say the Obama administration has decided to transfer leftover money from the largely successful fight against Ebola to combat the growing threat of the Zika virus. Most of the $600 million or so would be devoted to the Centers for Disease Control, which is focused on research and development of anti-Zika vaccines, treating those infected with the virus and combating the mosquitoes that spread it. The officials spoke Tuesday on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the matter before an official announcement expected from the White House today. Researchers fear Zika causes microcephaly, a serious birth defect in which a baby’s head is too small, as well as other threats to the children of pregnant women infected with it. President Barack Obama has asked for about $1.9 billion in emergency money to fight Zika but the request has stalled in the GOP-controlled Congress.