Zika virus is spreading “explosively” in the Americas, and could spread even further afield amid an “extremely high” level of alarm, said a senior official of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday.

Margaret Chan, WHO director-general, made the statement while briefing WHO’s board members in Geneva on the Zika situation, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a daily news here.

Chan said that as of Thursday, Zika cases have been reported in 23 countries and territories in the region.

Symptoms of Zika virus, which is spread to people through mosquito bites, include low-grade fever, joint pain, rash, conjunctivitis, headache, muscle pain and eye pain.

“Chan explained that a causal relationship between the virus infection, and birth malformations and neurological syndromes has not yet been established, but is strongly suspected,” Dujarric said. “And the possible links, only recently suspected, have rapidly changed the risk profile of Zika, from a mild threat to one of alarming proportions.”

She added that the increased incidence of microcephaly is particularly alarming, as it places a heart-breaking burden on families and communities.

“WHO is deeply concerned about the rapidly evolving situation for four main reasons — the possible association with birth malformations and neurological syndromes; the potential for further international spread; the lack of population immunity in newly affected areas; and the absence of vaccines, specific treatments, and rapid diagnostic tests,” Dujarric said.

“Conditions associated with this year’s El Nino weather pattern are also expected to increase mosquito populations greatly in many areas,” the spokesman said.

Chan will convene an International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on the virus and observed increase in neurological disorders and neonatal malformations on February 1 in Geneva to ascertain whether the outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, he said.

Zika is transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes, which also transmit chikungunya and dengue viruses and which are present in every country of the Americas except Canada and continental Chile.

It is strongly suspected of causing birth malformations. Thus, women in Brazil, Colombia and El Salvador have been advised against getting pregnant during the outbreak.

Zika virus was first isolated from a monkey in the Zika forest in Uganda in 1947. (Xinhua)

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