As expected, World Health Organization ( WHO ) has this week declared the Zika outbreak a " Public Health Emergency of International Concern " - as they did with Ebola. This is because of the association between Zika infection and a rise in detected cases of congenital malformations and neurological abnormalities. Other areas of concern were the lack of :- vaccines ; rapid and reliable diagnostic tests ; and lack of population immunity in newly affected countries.


WHO’s intention is to coordinate a global effort to understand, prevent, diagnose, and treat Zika virus infection. WHO found " no public health justification for restrictions on travel or trade to prevent the spread of the virus " ( Olympic Games expected to go ahead ). Pregnant women in, or travelling to, affected areas need up to date advice from their physicians.


The Philippines Department of Health in a press release simplyreminded the public to " use self-protection measures, seek early consultation for fever lasting more than 2 days, and search and destroy mosquito breeding places ". The last documented case in the country was a 15 years old boy in Cebu City in 2012, who recovered fully.


England’s Chief Medical Officer told MPs on the House of Commons Science and Technology committee that " there is no risk to people in Britain now, nor in the future. There is a risk to our people travelling to affected areas " and " Public Health England has given travel advice to pregnant women and those trying to get pregnant that they should think carefully before travelling to the affected areas and that anyone going there should protect themselves from mosquito bites ".


No doubt regular updates will continue to be widely available on news and health care media around the world.