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Tuesday 2 February 2016

Zika Virus Outbreak Declared International Emergency


The Zika virus outbreak has been declared an international emergency by the World Health Organisation.

The virus, which is carried by mosquitoes, causes flu-like symptoms in adults but has been linked to birth defects, such as shrunken brains, in the babies of those affected.


The earliest recorded cases of Zika were in Brazil, which now has 1.5million affected and which is set to host the Olympic Games this summer.

Now the WHO is predicting up to 4million cases in Latin America alone this year and has declared an international emergency due to the speed at which the virus is spreading.

WHO chief Dr Margaret Chan said restrictions on travel and trade were not necessary, but an international coordinated response to the virus was required.

At present, there is no vaccine nor cure for Zika, and scientists say it could take a decade or longer before one could be developed.

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