the world health organization has warned thatthe zika virus -- a mosquito-borne virus linked to serious birth defects -- is expected toaffect almost the entirety of the americas. fears are also growing as officials say theycannot rule out the possibility of person-to-person transmission.sohn jung-in has more. the zika virus is a mosquito-borne illnesswhich may cause brain deformities in newborns and serious, sometimes deadly, developmentaldelays. outbreaks have historically occurred in remoteparts of africa and the pacific islands, but it has spread quickly to south america andother regions since it was found in brazil in may of last year.
the who has warned the disease will soon befound throughout the americas with the only countries not expected to be affected beingcanada and chile. "the explosive spread of zika virus to newgeographical areas, with little population immunity, is another cause for concern, especiallygiven the possible link between infection during pregnancy and babies born with smallheads." asia is not considered a safety zone either,as the zika virus has been reported in cambodia, india, thailand, malaysia and other partsof the continent before. evidence about other transmission routes,apart from mosquito bites, is limited. but there has been a documented case of infectionfrom sexual transmission, adding to concerns
the virus could spread rapidly. most adults infected with the zika virus showonly mild symptoms, including fever, rash and red eyes.there's currently no vaccine or medication available to prevent or treat the virus.the best way to prevent the disease, so far, is to avoid mosquito bites by using repellentand covering exposed skin. the who advises pregnant women to avoid travelingto areas with zika outbreaks and to consult a doctor before traveling and on return.one-and-a-half million people in brazil are thought to have been infected by the virus.officials at olympics venues in rio de janeiro say they will undergo inspections every dayto prevent the virus from spreading at this
summer's games.sohn jung-in, arirang news.
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