Federal government announces $5M to help Zika virus fight

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 factthat Canada is contributing$5 million in new money in response to the Zikaepidemic," she said.

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"Three million (dollars) will be an investment in research, this will be an investmentthat will be made through the Canadian Institutes for Health Research as well as the International Research Development Centre," sheadded.

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 tothe Public Health Agency and to the Pan-American Health Organization. The final $1 million will be given tohumanitarian 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.