WHO Releases $56 Million Zika Virus Strategic Response Plan
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - The World Health Organization (WHO) said Wednesday that $56 million is needed to combat the Zika virus through June, including fast-tracking vaccines and diagnostics.
The funds, including $25 million for the WHO itself, would also be used to control the mosquito-borne virus that has now spread to 39 countries and has been linked to birth defects in Brazil, as well as research studies.
"Research studies are needed in order to assess: 1) presence of the Zika virus in body fluids, includinsa\g pregnancy-related fluids; and 2) potential sexual transmission, and mother-to-child transmission," said the WHO Strategic Response Framework and Joint Operations Plan issued in Geneva, Reuters reported.
The Zika virus has been known to researchers since 1947 but was not regarded as a risk until recently as it was generally associated with mild symptoms.
However the suspected link between Zika and microcephaly, a disorder that causes abnormally small heads in newborns, as well as Guillain-Barré syndrome led the WHO to declare the Zika virus a publc health emergency of international concern.
