Race for Zika vaccine gathers momentum as virus spreads

But the virus can be very serious for women of child-bearing age.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday warned the virus is spreading “explosively” in Latin America.

Since 2014, Zika cases have been reported in the Americas and imported cases have been confirmed in Europe, Asia and Oceania.

A health worker stands in the Sambadrome as he sprays insecticide to combat the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that transmits the Zika virus in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016. The virus is spread by mosquitoes, which are eventually expected in the USA, and there are questions and concerns about other ways it could be spread.

Epidemiologist Jussi Sane at the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) told ABC News that a Finnish tourist was infected by the Zika virus after visiting the Maldives last summer.

“Eliminate any areas that could breed mosquitoes; for instance, standing water”, said Kawaoka.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, said he did not expect the United States to be hit hard like other some countries in South America and the Caribbean.

Zika is a mosquito-borne virus that’s been strongly linked to severe birth defects.

Many women, especially those living far from large cities, struggle to find abortion providers even when they meet the legal requirements and illegal abortions are widespread. “If you are pregnant you should try to limit your travel to those areas”.

The virus has been linked to microcephaly, a birth defect which prevents fetus’ brains from developing properly.

At least half of Legacy’s patients come from countries considered high-risk for infection by the CDC, so doctors at Legacy screen anyone who travels there.

The virus causes a mild fever and rashes but 80 percent of the infected show no symptoms. Furthermore, for most of those who do happen to find themselves with a Zika infection in our region, the fallout is likely to be low.

There is no vaccine, and if a pregnant woman contracts the disease there is a chance their baby could be born with the rare and debilitating condition.