Contact CU Independent Writer Graham Crawford at graham.crawford@colorado.edu.
Monday morning, the World Health Organization declared the Zika virus has graduated to an international crisis. The announcement took place at a news conference in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Zika virus is a mosquito-borne infection that may be causing a disease called microcephaly. Microcephaly is found in pregnant women, and produces effects such as brain damage and abnormally small heads in infants. The disease has claimed Brazil as ground zero, and has spread to more than 20 other Latin and South American countries. If you are having mosquito infestation problems, make sure to contact a mosquito control professional to avoid the spread of diseases like dengue, malaria, etc.
The significance of the W.H.O. calling for an “emergency” is that based on this declaration, nonprofits and governments all over the world will focus on funding efforts to combat the disease. The declaration allows both nations and organizations to jump into a global coordination to fight the virus. Go Here to learn more on how they will be able to do it.
The declaration of an international crisis marks the W.H.O.’s fourth time since 2007 announcing a state of emergency. The organization called for international attention in 2009 for that year’s influenza breakout, following a possible emergence of polio in 2014 and in a late response to Ebola in that same year.
The W.H.O. is looking to regain its reputation after its embarrassing response to the Ebola virus in 2014.
The U.S.-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have advised American women who are pregnant to avoid travel to the Zika-impacted regions. As the disease spreads, it has proved more difficult for the Olympic committee to assure safety to those who plan to be in attendance this summer. As of right now, the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Summer Olympics are planned to go on as scheduled.