The World Health Organization (WHO) has decided to convene an Emergency Committee Monday to address the spread of the mysterious virus causing the Zika disease, as health experts warned that an outbreak is ballooning at an "extremely alarming" rate.
The Zika disease has been linked with a birth defect known as microcephaly, which sees children born with abnormally small brains, as well as a neurological syndrome that can cause paralysis.
Margaret Chan, the director-general of the WHO, said board members would meet on Monday to establish if the Zika virus should be declared an international emergency.
And an official at the WHO office for the Americas, where the disease has spread to 23 countries in a matter of months, said we can "expect three to four million cases."
Here are 10 facts one may need to know about the Zika virus.
1. What is Zika virus?
The Zika disease is caused by a virus transmitted by aedes egyptus, the mosquito that carries the virus which could be found in Southern Europe, Africa and the southern United States. There is additional concern that aedes albopictus, the highly aggressive tiger mosquito, could become a vector for the Zika virus.
2. What are the common symptoms?
The Zika virus could cause a mild illness. Common symptoms of infection with the virus include mild headaches, maculopapular rash, fever, malaise, conjunctivitis, and joint pains, which normally last two to seven days.
3. What has Zika to do with microcephaly?
A group of Brazilian doctors found a link between Zika and the rising number of babies born with microcephaly in the country.
Microcephaly refers to abnormally smaller head for new born babies. It may lead to developmental delays and often comes with other health conditions, like sight and heart congenital diseases.
Health authorities found out that many Brazilian women who had babies with microcephaly had been infected with the Zika virus in the early months of their pregnancies. This caused an uproar among the country's female population and prompted some women to postpone their plans to get pregnant in the near future.
4. How to treat the Zika disease?
Usually, the Zika virus disease is relatively mild and requires no specific treatment. People affected with the Zika virus should get plenty of rest, drink enough fluids, and treat pain and fever with common medicines. If symptoms worsen, medical care and advice should be sought immediately.
