The
World Health Organisation (WHO) has disclosed that the Zika virus could spread
across Europe in coming months reports ITRealms.
WHO
regional director for Europe, Dr. Zsuzsanna Jakab, noted that the assessment of
the virus classified the risk of an outbreak from low to medium, underscoring
that the risk should not be underestimated.
ITRealms
recalls that the mosquito-borne virus first discovered in Brazil last year,
2015, has been found in more than 50 countries. Though it is highest on the
island of Madeira and the Black Sea coast of Russia and Georgia, where the
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes who are responsible for most of the infections are
indigenous, the risk is still considered moderate in 18 countries where a
different mosquito, Aedes albopictus breeds. This mosquito has also been shown
to be a potential transmitter of the virus in Africa, Mexico and in lab
experiments.
Jakab
also said WHO is considering the capacity of countries in Europe to respond and
most would do so efficiently and fast, stressing that the Europe-wide risk as
low to moderate.
“With
this risk assessment, we at WHO want to inform and target preparedness work in
each European country based on its level of risk. We call particularly on
countries at higher risk to strengthen their national capacities and prioritise
the activities that will prevent a large Zika outbreak,” Dr. Jakab.
Further, WHO urged countries with a high or
moderate risk to take stronger measures to stop the spread of mosquitoes and
reduce their numbers.While health professionals should be trained and equipped
to detect Zika infection and report it within 24 hours. Even as pregnant women
should be enabled to protect themselves from infection, including through
sexual transmission.
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