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| Zika virus: Outbreak 'likely to spread across Americas' says WHO | Zika virus: Outbreak 'likely to spread across Americas' says WHO |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The Zika virus is likely to spread across nearly all of the Americas, the World Health Organization has warned. | The Zika virus is likely to spread across nearly all of the Americas, the World Health Organization has warned. |
| The infection, which causes symptoms including mild fever, conjunctivitis and headache, has already been found in 21 countries in the Caribbean, North and South America. | The infection, which causes symptoms including mild fever, conjunctivitis and headache, has already been found in 21 countries in the Caribbean, North and South America. |
| It has been linked to thousands of babies being born with underdeveloped brains and some countries have advised women not to get pregnant. | It has been linked to thousands of babies being born with underdeveloped brains and some countries have advised women not to get pregnant. |
| No treatment or vaccine is available. | No treatment or vaccine is available. |
| The virus is native to Africa and was first found to be spreading in the Americas in Brazil in May 2015. | The virus is native to Africa and was first found to be spreading in the Americas in Brazil in May 2015. |
| The lack of any natural immunity in the Americas is thought to be helping the infection to spread rapidly. | The lack of any natural immunity in the Americas is thought to be helping the infection to spread rapidly. |
| Countries with confirmed cases of Zika virus | Countries with confirmed cases of Zika virus |
| Mosquito | Mosquito |
| Zika is transmitted by the bite of Aedes mosquitoes, which are found in all countries in the region except Canada and Chile. | Zika is transmitted by the bite of Aedes mosquitoes, which are found in all countries in the region except Canada and Chile. |
| In a statement, The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the regional office of the WHO, said: "PAHO anticipates that Zika virus will continue to spread and will likely reach all countries and territories of the region where Aedes mosquitoes are found." | In a statement, The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the regional office of the WHO, said: "PAHO anticipates that Zika virus will continue to spread and will likely reach all countries and territories of the region where Aedes mosquitoes are found." |
| It also confirmed the virus had been detected in semen and there was "one case of possible person-to-person sexual transmission" but further evidence was still needed. | |
| Around 80% of infections do not result in symptoms. | Around 80% of infections do not result in symptoms. |
| But the biggest concern is the potential impact on babies developing in the womb. There have been around 3,500 reported cases of microcephaly - babies born with tiny brains - in Brazil alone since October. | |
| PAHO warned pregnant women to be "especially careful" and to see their doctor before and after visiting areas affected by the virus. | PAHO warned pregnant women to be "especially careful" and to see their doctor before and after visiting areas affected by the virus. |
| Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador and Jamaica last week recommended women delay pregnancies until more was known about the virus. | Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador and Jamaica last week recommended women delay pregnancies until more was known about the virus. |
| Although officially PAHO says "any decision to defer pregnancy is an individual one between a woman, her partner and her healthcare provider". | Although officially PAHO says "any decision to defer pregnancy is an individual one between a woman, her partner and her healthcare provider". |
| Maria Conceicao Queiroz said there was a sense of fear where she lives near the Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro: "Every one is at risk, we're all scared of getting Zika. | Maria Conceicao Queiroz said there was a sense of fear where she lives near the Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro: "Every one is at risk, we're all scared of getting Zika. |
| "We're surrounded with dirty water, polluted water, but what can we do but put repellent on, to try to keep the mosquitoes away." | "We're surrounded with dirty water, polluted water, but what can we do but put repellent on, to try to keep the mosquitoes away." |
| Global threat | |
| Prof Laura Rodrigues, a fellow of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences and from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said some data suggested that up to one-in-fifty babies had birth defects in one of the worst hit areas - Pernambuco state in Brazil. | |
| She said: "Until November we knew nothing, this has caught us by surprise and we're trying to learn as fast as we can. | |
| "Wherever there is dengue, there is mosquito, then it will spread and not just in Americas I think there is a very real chance it will spread in Asia." | |
| More on the Zika virus: | More on the Zika virus: |
| The alarming threat of Zika virus | The alarming threat of Zika virus |
| Olympics plans announced by Rio authorities | Olympics plans announced by Rio authorities |
| Three Britons "contract Zika virus" | Three Britons "contract Zika virus" |
| Mothers' fears amid outbreak | Mothers' fears amid outbreak |
| Zika virus triggers pregnancy delay calls | Zika virus triggers pregnancy delay calls |
| It is advising people to protect themselves from the mosquitoes, which also spread dengue fever and chikungunya. | It is advising people to protect themselves from the mosquitoes, which also spread dengue fever and chikungunya. |
| PAHO advice is to ensure all containers that can hold even small amounts of water should be emptied and cleaned to prevent mosquitoes breeding. | PAHO advice is to ensure all containers that can hold even small amounts of water should be emptied and cleaned to prevent mosquitoes breeding. |
| And that people should protect themselves by using insect repellent, covering up and keeping windows and doors closed. | And that people should protect themselves by using insect repellent, covering up and keeping windows and doors closed. |
| Follow James on Twitter. | Follow James on Twitter. |