While some nations are experiencing a decline in reported Zika cases, the World Health Organization has not changed its overall global risk assessment for the virus. The agency continues to urge nations to remain vigilant against the spread of Zika, according to a new guidance released March 10.
Eighty-four nations, territories or subnational areas have experienced mosquito-borne Zika, according to the new guidance. While five of these areas experienced an interruption of local transmission, future transmission is possible as these areas still harbor the Aedes aegypti mosquito responsible for spreading the virus.
The new guidance also states there are 64 countries where locally acquired Zika has not been detected, but where the possibility for future transmission exists due to the presence of the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
"[The new guidance] helps us because now we can assess risks more precisely. Now, even if you do not have Zika virus transmission, but if you have the Aedes aegypti mosquito, you are at risk of Zika virus transmission," said Monika Gehner, a technical officer with the WHO, according to United Nations News. "A traveler who is infected with Zika virus may go to an area in a country and infect mosquitoes that are established there, and a mosquito can then transmit to other people and so on, so you have a cycle of transmission."
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