WHO mulls global health emergency declaration on Zika

Public health officials say they have not had any reported cases of the Zika virus in Arizona, but officials with the state Department of Health say the disease is rampant in Latin America, and there’s concern the virus could quickly spread north.

Zika is has been linked to serious birth defects.

But since the Zika virus is spread by the mosquito that exists in several countries, the United Nations health agency urged the governments in the Middle East to work together to keep the region protected.

A number of countries, including Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Jamaica and Puerto Rico, have warned women to delay pregnancies until the Zika outbreak is brought under control amid worries over the recent surge in cases. Pregnant women were advised not to travel in affected areas, as there is no treatment or vaccine for the disease.

World Health Organization earlier said the precise nature of any link between Zika and microcephaly remains unclear.

The WHO will discuss whether the virus constitutes an worldwide emergency.

The ministry has also taken measures to equip a laboratory at Al Qassimi Hospital in Sharjah to perform analyses of any suspected Zika virus infections.

Zika, originating from Africa, is believed to have entered Latin America via Brazil, which reported its first case of the disease in May 2015.

“By any means this [Zika] is a public health emergency with the sheer numbers of people who are coming down with a flu-like syndrome, but particularly the complications”.

Aedes mosquitoes become infected when they bite a person already infected with the virus. The most common symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis.

Hamilton’s Hopkins said people should protect themselves from mosquitoes by wearing long sleeves and with insect repellent.

She said the woman, who did not want to be named, felt there wasn’t enough awareness about the possible effects on pregnant women and their babies.

As Brazil will be the host of this summer’s Olympic games, the International Olympic Committee, country’s authorities and WHO experts will cooperate for implementing virus management in accordance to the international health regulations.