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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