Four Cases Of Zika In UK

Public Health England has confirmed four “travel-associated” cases of Zika in the last six weeks.

18:13 12 February 2016

Public Health England’s Dr Dily Morgan has told the Commons Science and Technology Committee: “We have had seven cases, six associated with the current outbreak in South America, in the past three years.

 

“We have four of those in 2016 so we are seeing cases coming back. We have raised awareness so people are more aware of the infections.

 

“We are likely to see more cases.”

 

Zika, which affects pregnant women and leads to birth defects, have been recently declared a global emergency by the World Health Organisation.

 

The virus, which is believed to be spread through mosquitoes, is most common in Latin America. However, in recent weeks, there have been reported cases in North America and China. Affected pregnant women experience mild symptoms but their babies are born with abnormally small heads. 

 

According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the virus causes fever, conjunctivitis, rash and joint pain. It also affects one in five people but is particularly dangerous for pregnant women. Many children have also died from this condition due to severe brain damage.

 

Pregnant women are advised against traveling to South America, where the disease is most common.