- The Zika virus, which shrinks babies’ heads, was first reported in Brazil just eight months ago
- It has since spread to 23 other countries, including Mexico and Barbados
- Predictions suggest 4 million people could be affected by the end of 2016
An incurable virus that shrinks babies’ brains sounds like the stuff of nightmares. And there is no denying the headlines about the zika virus have made alarming reading over the past week, with one expert from the World Health Organisation (WHO) describing its spread as ‘explosive’ — yesterday the organisation declared the virus a global health emergency.
Zika, which was identified in Africa in the Forties, was first reported in Brazil just eight months ago, but it has already now spread to 23 other countries in the region, including Mexico and Barbados, with predictions that the numbers affected could rise to four million by the end of the year. Meanwhile, 31 Americans, four Canadians and three Britons have tested positive for zika — all were infected while travelling. However, a study published in The Lancet suggests around a third of the 9.9 million foreign tourists who visited risk areas in Brazil in a year, returned to Europe.
Here we look at why Zika has suddenly become a major health concern and what you need to know to protect yourself.
Click on the link to watch the video and read are you at risk?
Filed under: Uncategorized, global health emergency, Zika virus
