WHO calls for Zika research
Says pregnant women should not travel to affected areas
Wed Mar 9, 2016 12:52 PM Last update on: Wed Mar 9, 2016 01:05 PM
The World Health Organization (WHO) calls on Tuesday for urgent research into different strains of the Zika virus. In this Reuters photo, An aedes aegypti mosquitoe is seen inside a test tube as part of a research on preventing the spread of the Zika virus and other mosquito-borne diseases at a control and prevention center in Guadalupe, neighbouring Monterrey, Mexico, March 8, 2016.
The World Health Organization (WHO) called on Tuesday for urgent research into different strains of the Zika virus and said that health services in affected areas should be ready for potential increases in the incidence of neurological syndromes and/or congenital malformations.
The United Nations agency, acting on advice from independent experts led by Dr David Heymann, said in a statement that pregnant women "should be advised not to travel to areas with ongoing Zika virus outbreaks", but did not recommend any general trade or travel restrictions.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. "We can expect more cases and further geographical spread," WHO Director-General Margaret Chan told a news briefing. "Sexual transmission is more common than previously assumed."
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