Four Million Affected by Zika Virus

The World Health Organisation has predicted that up to four million people could be infected with the Zika virus in the Americas this year.

The virus is spread by mosquitoes and has been linked to severe brain defects in babies. WHO director general Dr Margaret Chan says the virus has gone “from a mild threat to one of alarming proportions” and the US says it intends to start human vaccine trials by the end of 2016.

Dr Chan has set up an emergency team to deal with the rapid spread of the virus and talks are imminent to decide if Zika should be treated as a global emergency. Some areas have already declared a state of emergency and women are being advised to delay getting pregnant.

UPDATE: The World Health Organisation have now published guidelines for pregnant women concerned about the virus.  It comes as Public Health England confirmed that there have been seven travel-associated cases of the Zika virus documented in the UK.

The advice includes reassurance that there is no evidence to suggest Zika is transmitted to babies through breastfeeding and that there is only a “possible association” between microcephaly and Zika.  However, although there are still no travel restrictions in place, WHO advises that women “must determine the level of risk they wish to take” in travelling to Zika-hit nations

For advice on travelling during pregnancy, please see the government’s advice here and more on the WHO guidelines here 

For more information, including further advice about travelling to the area’s affected see The Telegraph news story here

If you are concerned please contact your local health care provider (your midwife or GP).