WASHINGTON: The White House and Democrats are pressuring congressional Republicans to act on President Barack Obama's demands for money to combat Zika.

But even the onset of a mosquito season that probably will spread the virus has failed to create a sense of urgency in Washington.

Republicans from states at greatest risk — such as Florida, Texas, Louisiana and Georgia — have been slow to endorse Obama's request for $1.9 billion to battle a virus that causes grave birth defects.

The government currently reports 472 cases in the continental United States. That number is expected to rise over the summer.

Polls suggest the public isn't nearly as scared of Zika as it was about the Ebola outbreak in West Africa and the few cases in the US in 2014.