This is the first time Qatar officials have commented publicly regarding the virus, which the World Health Organization (WHO) has said is “spreading explosively” particularly through the Americas.
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Dozens of cases of the Zika virus have also been registered in North America and Europe, including five in France, among people returning from vacation or business overseas.
Pregnant woman have been advised not to travel to those countries, because the virus affects them differently.
State Health Commissioner Dr Howard Zucker said officials will discuss how they are reducing the risk of spreading zika during tomorrow’s forum. The virus had stayed below the radar in the West until an outbreak broke through Brazil in May on 2015.
The Zika virus, carried by mosquitos, is now in two dozen countries and territories across the Americas.
Health authorities are now investigating a potential link between the Zika virus in pregnant women in Latin America, and a rare birth defect called microcephaly in their babies.
Here in Texas six, travel-related cases have been confirmed.
Brazilian infectologist Antonio Bandeira, who was part of the team of researchers who identified the Zika virus in Brazil, talks by mobile in front of the Santa Helena hospital in Camaçari, Bahia, Brazil on January 29, 2016, Brazil.
Because of current non-availability of specific treatment or vaccine, the best form of prevention is protection against mosquito bites.
World Health Organization officials stated Zika could infect up to four million people over the next year.
Zika is not now transmitted in the continental United States, and so far the only U.S. residents infected with Zika have all contracted the virus from affected areas overseas.
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.
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The WHO’s actions are under intense scrutiny after its handling of the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa. Others may exhibit low fever, rash, pink eye, headaches or joint pain that lasts about a week.
