ONEIDA COUNTY – With recent reports of the Zika Virus in nearby Oneida County, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer is pushing feds to fund medical research that may ultimately lead to a vaccine for the debilitating virus.

The Senator is calling for $1.9 billion in emergency funding from Congress to fight the epidemic. According to him, the funding would be a big win both for combating the virus, and for SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse where research for an anti-Zika vaccine has already started.

“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. “Simply put, anyone repellent to this emergency funding plan isn’t serious about beating Zika. When it comes to fighting this epidemic, a stitch in time will save nine – so I will do everything in my power to make sure emergency funding is delivered.”