Zika virus strain detected in Africa - WHO

Europa

May 21, 2016 10:10 AM

In a statement, the WHO confirmed this was "first time that the Zika strain responsible for the outbreaks linked to neurological disorders and microcephaly has been detected in Africa".

The World Health Organization has revealed that the Zika virus strain responsible for the outbreaks in Brazil has been detected in Africa for the first time.

The WHO said African countries should raise awareness among pregnant women of the complications with the Zika virus and "promote protection steps to avoid mosquito bites as well as sexual transmission".

"In addition, countries should increase their surveillance for Zika transmission and congenital malformations, such as microcephaly, as well as Guillain-Barré syndrome," the statement said.

Zika has been linked to neurological disorders including babies being born with small brains.

The disease is currently circulating in Cape Verde, an archipelago off the north west coast of Africa.

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