Federal government announces $5M to help Zika virus fight
Money earmarked for research, Canada's Public Health Agency and humanitarian aid
The federal government is giving $5 million to help in the international battle against the Zika virus, federal Health Minister Jane Philpott announced today.
"We are very pleased today to announce the fact that Canada is contributing $5 million in new money in response to the Zika epidemic," she said.
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"Three million (dollars) will be an investment in research, this will be an investment that will be made through the Canadian Institutes for Health Research as well as the International Research Development Centre," she added.
Philpott said the money will be used to fund large international projects that are attempting to address the spread of the Zika virus.
The second area of funding will see $950,000 funneled to the Public Health Agency and to the Pan-American Health Organization. The final $1 million will be given to humanitarian organizations around the world.
"This has been declared by the world health organization as an emergency of international concern and we are very pleased that Canada is making a very significant and important international response," said Philpott.