OTTAWA—The federal government is contributing almost $5 million to the global fight against the Zika virus. Federal Health Minister Jane Philpott announced $4.95 million in funding for research into the Zika virus and for humanitarian aid to countries hardest hit by the epidemic. Health Minister Jane Philpott announced an investment of $4.95 million for research into the mosquito-borne virus and for humanitarian aid to countries hardest hit by the epidemic. Zika has been shown to cause a neurological birth defect called microcephaly in babies born to women infected during pregnancy. Zika has become rampant in South and Central America, parts of Mexico and the Caribbean.

Source: thestar May 11, 2016 18:43 UTC