WHO declares Zika virus global health emergency
Microcephaly is a condition in which babies are born abnormally with small heads and underdeveloped brains. Since October when the neurodevelopmental disorder gained traction in Brazil with over 4,000 reported cases, researchers have established links to the mosquito-borne Zika virus.
According to experts, with the pace at which the virus is spreading, especially in the Americas, more cases of Zika-linked birth defects will soon surface in other countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the virus an international public health emergency on Monday following recommendations from UN experts and criticism over the lack of response to the virus.
"Members of the committee agreed that the situation meets the conditions for a public health emergency of international concern. I have accepted this advice," said WHO Director General Margaret Chan after a meeting of the WHO’s international health regulations emergency committee in Geneva.
The declaration, which puts Zika’s alert level on that of the Ebola virus, will fast-track funding for research aimed at dealing with the infection and creating a vaccine.
Over the past two years Ebola has claimed the lives of over 10,000 people in West Africa. The WHO has suffered widespread criticism for its slow reaction to the epidemic.
“It is important to realize that when the evidence first becomes available of such a serious condition like microcephaly and other congenital abnormalities, we need to take action, including precautionary measures,” the WHO official added.
“There is an urgent need to do more work to find out where there is a definitive association with the Zika virus,” said Chan, adding that “evidence is growing and it is getting stronger. We need a coordinated international response to get to the bottom of this.”
Situation 'far worse than imagined'
On Monday, Brazilian Health Minister Marcelo Castro announced that his country’s local governments would commence mandatory reporting of cases of the virus.
“Eighty percent of the people infected by Zika do not develop significant symptoms. A large number of people have the virus with no symptoms, so the situation is more serious that we can imagine,” said Castro.
Portugal rejects paying reparations for colonial-era atrocities
Brazil’s Sao Leopoldo reopens ‘Palestine Square’
Israeli assault on Gaza aid convoy beyond 'ethical or legal limits': Brazil
Explainer: What is Persian Gulf Day and what are its origins and significance?
VIDEO | 'Ceasefire now!' - Pro-Palestinian motorcade drives through Rotterdam
Malala slammed for collaboration with Clinton, cheerleader of Gaza genocide
IRGC: 10 countries aided Israel to repel Iran 'True Promise', but to no avail
Iran condemns US violence, says anti-war student protests proof of world awakening
Uma Oya: Iran’s engineering milestone for internationality
Hamas fires barrage of rockets into occupied territories from south Lebanon
'A world war': Hamas says engaged in multi-national war on Gaza
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
