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More countries confirm discovery of Zika virus cases

Countries including South Africa and Trinidad and Tobago have confirmed their first cases of Zika virus.

More than 5,000 pregnant women in Colombia have contracted the virus, its government has said.

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European countries could be at risk from Zika

The map showing the Aedes aegypti mosquito is present in Georgia Credit: ECDPC

European countries where Aedes mosquitoes are present could be at risk from the Zika virus, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned.

The mosquito which carries the virus is established in Georgia, next to the Black Sea, and Madeira, according to mosquito maps found on the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control website.

Every European country in which Aedes mosquitoes are present can be at risk for the spread of Zika virus disease.

A number of travellers infected with Zika have entered Europe, but the disease has not been transmitted further, as the mosquito is still inactive. With the onset of spring and summer, the risk that Zika virus will spread increases.

Now is the time for countries to prepare themselves to reduce the risk to their populations. As there is no vaccine or treatment for Zika virus disease, we must protect the European Region by stopping the disease at its source.

– Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO regional director for Europe.
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More countries confirm discovery of Zika virus cases

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