Zika Virus: WHO Warns African Region To Be Prepared To Tackle Disease

Countries from the World Health Organisation (WHO), African region, have been urged to be watchful and prepare to tackle any signs of the Zika virus disease.

 

The call was made by Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO Regional Director for Africa in a statement made available to LEADERSHIP.

 

He said, “I call upon countries in the Region to strengthen vector control, surveillance and laboratory detection of Zika virus disease and neurological complications, as well as public awareness”

 

“The most effective forms of prevention are reducing mosquito populations by eliminating their potential breeding sites, and using personal protection measures to prevent mosquito bites.

 

Zika virus occurs in tropical areas with large mosquito populations, and is known to circulate in Africa, the Americas, Southern Asia and Western Pacific. People are infected with the Zika virus when bitten by an infected Aedes mosquito – the same type of mosquito that spreads dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever.

 

Considering the wide distribution of this type of mosquito, all the countries in the African Region are at risk of Zika virus transmission. This risk is potentially increased by the ongoing Zika virus disease outbreaks in other countries in the world.  In the African region, Cape Verde has reported an outbreak with over 7 000 cases since October 2015. However, the number of cases has been on the decline since December 2015.