Chan said that while a direct causal relationship between Zika virus infection and birth malformations has not yet been established, it is “strongly suspected”.
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Venezuela authorities have broken their silence on the outbreak of Zika in the country and are pledging to mount a public health campaign to slow the virus’ spread.
Discussions on this disease outcome and the threat from Zika virus infection have taken place with the World Health Organisation (WHO) Suva office.
The World Health Organization warned this week that the virus is “spreading explosively” in the Americas, with three million to four million cases expected this year.
The virus which has symptoms ranging from fever and rash to joint pain and red eyes is something medical providers will be watching closely during this travel season and as the summer months approach.
What Is the Zika Virus? .
Evidence is strong Zika could be causing pregnant women to miscarry or deliver babies with abnormally small brains. You can see the list here.
The CDC is warning pregnant women to postpone traveling to Central and South America, where the mosquito-borne illness is active. An estimated 4,000 babies were found affected with microcephaly in Brazil.
There are now 22 countries that have reported incidences of the Zika virus, mainly located in South America and even in some developed nations like the United States.
Brazil is seeing a wave of such birth defects.
“We recommend using repellents”, he said. “And secondly, that we’ve got really good border protection around mosquitos and a whole range of other insects”, he said.
He said that based on inspections and the high number of dengue cases around the country suggest that the density of Aedes mosquitoes was still high.
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Taylor says women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, consult a health-care practitioner before travelling to a region where the virus is circulating.
