Zika Virus No Longer A World Public Health Emergency: WHO

Zika virus is no longer a world public health emergency as declared by The World Health Organization (WHO) on November 19, 2016.

Zika virus was declared as a global public health emergency by the World Health Organization in February 2016. The infection has been linked to thousands of babies being born with underdeveloped brains.

“The Zika virus remains a highly significant and long-term problem, but it is not anymore a public health emergency of international concern.” said Dr David Heymann, the world health body’s emergency committee chairman, as reported by Al Jazeera.

The main concern is the spread of Zika virus in pregnant women that has shown to cause microcephaly. Microcephaly is an intense birth defect in which the head and brain are not developed fully. The virus had spread to more than 50 countries in the past year. The WHO has been careful to not to dismiss the risk which is still posed by the virus.

Zika is caused and spread by a virus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. The symptoms include mild fever, skin rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise or a headache. These symptoms normally last for 2-7 days. The person suffering from this virus should get plenty of rest, should drink enough fluids and treat the fever with common medicines. Medical care is advisable if the condition worsens.

#ZikaVirus & assoc. complications remain a significant public health challenge requiring intense action https://t.co/rY4zXVLWAE

— WHO (@WHO) November 18, 2016

WHO has been supporting countries to control Zika virus by taking actions outlined in the “Zika Strategic Response Framework”, by enhancing surveillance of the virus and potential complications, strengthening capacity in risk communication and to engage communities to better understand risks associated with it.

Read our previous article on this issue: 1. Zika Virus: Here’s Everything You Need To Know

2. First Case Of Zika Through Sexual Transmission Reported In US