The Regional Director for Africa, World Health Organisation, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, has confirmed the spread of the Zika virus on the continent.
The WHO in a statement on Sunday said this was the first time, scientists could confirm the circulation of the Asian strain of the virus in Cape Verde, in the north west coast of Africa.
Zika virus disease is caused by a virus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. It has been linked to neurological disorders including babies being born with small brains.
There have been around 1,300 confirmed cases of microcephaly – babies born with small brains – in Brazil, with thousands more under investigation.
According to the global health agency, there have been more than 7,000 suspected cases of Zika in Cape Verde, with 180 pregnant women said to have been infected.
The WHO says three babies have been born brain damaged with microcephaly.
Moeti said, “This information will help African countries to re-evaluate their level of risk and adapt and increase their levels of preparedness.”
She urged African countries to raise awareness among pregnant women of the complications with the Zika virus.
Moeti, however, said no travel restrictions have been recommended by the WHO but travellers should reduce their exposure to mosquitoes.
Tropical disease specialist at University College London Hospitals, Dr. Anna Checkley warned that the Asian strain of Zika is probably more infectious to humans than the African strain.
Checkly said, ‘There has been an outbreak of Zika virus infection in Cape Verde since October 2015, and today the World Health Organisation confirmed that it is the Asian, rather than the African strain of the virus that is causing these infections.
“Prior to 2007 there were no known outbreaks of Zika virus infection, with just occasional cases (caused by the African strain) reported from countries in Africa.
“It is not known why the virus has become so much more aggressive since it was first described in 1947. It has probably been circulating at a low level in African countries for more than 50 years.”
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