In the wake of a reported Zika case in Oneida County, Senator Charles Schumer is calling for $1.9 billion in emergency funding to fight the virus.

Schumer was at SUNY Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse today.

He says upstate hospitals, medical providers and public health systems need immediate access to money to fight the spread of the Zika virus and treat those who have been infected.

“With so many women and families across Central New York looking for action and global health leaders like Upstate ready to assist, it is critical that members of Congress work together to green-light this $1.9 billion in emergency funding. We need to get this done as soon as possible so that institutions like SUNY Upstate can use their expertise to help stem the spread of Zika,” said Schumer. “

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