Zika virus may spread Europe this summer: WHO
May 18, Geneva: The Zika virus could spread to Europe this summer, although the likelihood of an outbreak is low to moderate, according to the World Health Organization.
The overall risk of a Zika virus outbreak across Europe is low to moderate during late spring and summer, according to a new risk assessment published by the WHO on Wednesday, with a varying risk across the region that is higher in countries where Aedes mosquitoes are present.
The new evidence published today tells us that there is a risk of spread of Zika virus disease in the European region and that this risk varies from country to country.
With this risk assessment, the WHO want to inform and target preparedness work in each European country based on its level of risk. It call particularly on countries at higher risk to strengthen their national capacities and prioritize the activities that will prevent a large Zika outbreak.
Countries with a moderate risk include France, Spain, Italy and Greece, while the risk in the UK is low.
The WHO is calling on countries to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and to make sure that people - particularly pregnant women - have information on the potential harmful consequences of the disease.
The WHO also said most countries that could be affected are well prepared to pick up any new cases and deal with them quickly - but others must bolster their ability to diagnose the virus.
The Oslo Times