MOSCOW (Sputnik) — WHO is expected to convene a regional consultation in Portugal on June 22-24, 2016 to examine the conclusion of the risk assessment and identify countries' needs, strengths and gaps in relation to the outbreak prevention.
“We stand ready to support European countries on the ground in case of #Zika virus outbreaks” — @NedretEmiroglu https://t.co/4xweTqoaRe
— WHO/Europe (@WHO_Europe) 18 May 2016
"The new evidence published today tells us that there is a risk of spread of Zika virus disease in the European Region and that this risk varies from country to country… We call particularly on countries at higher risk to strengthen their national capacities and prioritize the activities that will prevent a large Zika outbreak," Zsuzsanna Jakab, the WHO regional director for Europe, said as quoted in the organization's statement.
The risk of Zika outbreak varies from country to country, the UN health agency noted.
"The likelihood of local Zika virus transmission, if no measures are taken to mitigate the threat, is moderate in 18 countries in the European Region and high in limited geographical areas: the island of Madeira and the north-eastern coast of the Black Sea," WHO stressed, adding that the risk depended on the presence of Aedes aegypti mosquito, spreading the virus.
The current Zika virus outbreak started in Brazil in the spring of 2015 and has since spread across Latin America, the Caribbean and the United States. Cases have also been reported in several European countries and Asia.
