The CDC is low on funds to fight Zika: 'Basically, we're out of money'

CDC director Dr. Tom Frieden told reporters Tuesday, "Basically, we are out of money, and we need Congress to act. The cupboard is bare."

Frieden says as of Aug. 26, the CDC had spent $194 million of the $222 million it set aside to battle Zika.

The Hill says about half of that money went to state and local health agencies and that the remaining cash was divided among several areas, including diagnostic tests, public outreach and staffing to help deal with outbreaks in Florida and Puerto Rico.

Back in February, President Barack Obama asked Congress for nearly $2 billion in emergency funds to fight the virus. But Congress refused.

And now that the virus is actively spreading in Florida, the need for more funding is more urgent.

In fact, just hours after Frieden's plea to Congress, Florida officials confirmed three new nontravel-related Zika cases in Miami-Dade County.

One case is part of an outbreak in Miami Beach, and officials are trying to determine the origin of the others.

Congress will return from a seven-week summer break in early September, and Obama has urged members to make Zika funding its first priority.