Colombia has more than 2100 pregnant women with Zika virus

WHO will convene an emergency committee meeting to discuss the Zika virus next Monday to ascertain whether the outbreak constitutes a public health emergency of global concern.

In the meantime it is being said that since last spring, over 20 nations have reported locally acquired cases of Zika, which is transmitted by mosquitoes and might cause birth defects.

No current Zika cases have been reported in the country but in 2012, a 15-year-old boy reportedly was infected in central Cebu city but recovered fully, according to health department spokesman Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy.

Health officials say three people in SC are being tested for the Zika virus, but no cases of the disease have been confirmed yet. The main concern is the growing number of cases of microcephaly, a rare condition in which infants are born with abnormally small heads and damaged brains.

However, with the onset of spring and summer, the risk of Zika virus transmission in Europe will grow, as mosquitoes find better breeding grounds in warmer climates.

Health officials have worked to raise public awareness about ways to prevent infections, including by using insect repellents and wearing protective clothing.

The manifestation of Zika virus infection include mild fever, rash (mostly maculo-papular), headaches, joint pain (arthralgia), muscle pain (myalgia), loss of weight (asthenia), and non-purulent conjunctivitis.

There is no cure or vaccine yet for Zika virus infection.

Most of those who get Zika show no symptoms, making it tough for pregnant women to know if it’s in their system.

Health officials are advising pregnant women and those planning pregnancy to adopt necessary anti-mosquito precautions, and consider deferring travel.

Zika virus spreads to people through mosquito bites, but it is not deadly.

Staying and sleeping in screened-in or air-conditioned rooms.

“What we have at this moment, in this country, is a group of women who’s in fear of getting pregnant and not knowing what will happen during the pregnancy”, a law professor at Brasilia University told the BBC. The best prevention measure is to avoid mosquito bites in areas known to harbor the disease.