WHO Says Extremely Alarmed by Zika, Could Reach 4 Million Cases

 

Reuters, 28/01 15:47 CET

By Reuters Staff

GENEVA (Reuters) – -

The World Health Organization (WHO) expects the Zika virus, which is spreading through the Americas, to affect between 3 million and 4 million people, a disease expert said on Thursday.

The WHO’s director-general said the spread of the mosquito-borne disease had gone from a mild threat to one of alarming proportions.

Marcos Espinal, an infectious disease expert at the WHO’s Americas regional office, said: “We can expect 3 to 4 million cases of Zika virus disease.” He gave no time frame.

There is no vaccine or treatment for Zika, which is a close cousin of dengue and chikungunya and causes mild fever, rash and red eyes. An estimated 80 percent of people infected have no symptoms, making it difficult for pregnant women to know whether they have been infected. 

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Source: Euronews