WHO declares Zika virus international health emergency

Published 1:44 pm Monday, February 1, 2016

By Chanukah Christie | Community News Content

(Stock photo/ MorgueFile)

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced today that the rapid spread of the Zika virus in the Americas is now considered an international emergency.

The outbreak of the Zika virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, began in Brazil last May and has now spread to more than 20 countries in Latin America. WHO’s announcement comes after a meeting of independent experts examined a link between the arrival of the Zika virus in Brazil and a significant increase in the number of babies born with abnormally small heads.

Data curated by HealthGrove
 
At a news conference in Geneva, Dr. Margaret Chan, the director general of WHO, said “international response is needed to minimize the threat in infected countries and reduce risk of international spread.”
 
In response, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised travelers to protect themselves from mosquito bites if traveling to the region, or to avoid travel to that region as a whole.
 
 

Email newsletter signup

You Might Like