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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.

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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.