WHO declares global emergency over Zika virus spread

Birth defects and neurological conditions linked to the Zika virus in Latin America represents a global threat, the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced.

Margaret Chan, WHO director-general said there is an “urgent need to coordinate global efforts to understand whether the Zika virus is causing birth defects”.

Dr Jeremy Farrar, director of the Wellcome Trust, said: “The WHO faced heavy criticism for waiting too long to declare the Ebola outbreak a public health emergency and they should be congratulated for being far more proactive this time”.

World Health Organization estimates there could be up to four million cases of Zika in the American continents in the next year, but no recommendations were made to restrict travel or trade.

She pointed out that Zika virus is transmitted through Aedes mosquitoes, the same insect that spreads dengue which has been a menace in the country.

It has since become the worst affected country, with some 4,000 suspected cases of microcephaly, of which 270 have been confirmed.

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said the WHO’s declaration raises more awareness and provides “more resources to fight the virus”.

The southeastern regional government of Murcia said Tuesday that tests carried out by the National Microbiology Center confirmed the case of a man treated two weeks ago at a regional hospital after visiting an unspecified country affected by the virus. “The states and UTs would create increased awareness…about Zika virus disease and its possible link with adverse pregnancy outcomes (foetal loss, microcephaly, etc.)”, it said.

The WHO said that French Polynesia had also seen a spike in microcephaly cases during a Zika outbreak there two years ago. The Health Ministry has linked the condition to Zika, although the connection is not yet definitive.

“So far, the possibility of the virus spreading here is low, as no case has been reported and the mosquitoes responsible for the virus have not been found. But as people can contract the virus through travel, we are promoting preventative methods”, the KCDC said.

There are now no licensed treatments or vaccines for Zika.

“By elevating this to a public health emergency, much needed research can now be fast-tracked”, he said.

The Olympics will be held in Rio de Janeiro from August 5 to 21, during the southern hemisphere winter, which means there will be fewer of the mosquitoes that transmit the disease, organizers underlined. Last year, MERS appeared in Korea. It produces flu-like symptoms including a low-grade fever, headaches, joint pain and rashes.

Some health officials also blame the Zika virus for causing Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare disorder in which the immune system attacks the nervous system, causing weakness and sometimes paralysis.

DFAT also warned pregnant women or those who are actively seeking to get pregnant to consider postponing travel to any area where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.