WHO warns of risk of Zika virus in the Americas
(Vatican Radio) The World
Health Organization (WHO) said Monday that the mosquito-borne Zika virus, which
is suspected of causing brain damage to babies in Brazil, is likely to spread
to all countries in the Americas except for Canada and Chile.
Since May of 2015 the Zika
virus has spread rapidly to 21 countries. It has not yet been reported in the
continental United States, but a woman who fell ill with Zika in Brazil
later gave birth to a brain-damaged baby in Hawaii.
Brain Damage to babies
Brazil's Health Ministry last
November confirmed the virus was linked to a foetal deformation known as
microcephaly, in which infants are born with smaller-than-usual brains.
The country has also reported
3,893 suspected cases of microcephaly.
Dr Marcos Espinal is from the
Pan American Health Organization, he says governments in affected countries
need to step controls.
The WHO is advising pregnant
women planning to travel to areas where Zika is present to consult a healthcare
beforehand.
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