WHO: Zika 'expected to spread' to Europe this summer
The Zika virus is set to spread to Europe by this summer, according to a new assessment by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
An outbreak of the mosquito-borne virus, which has been linked to thousands of cases of microcephaly, is more likely in countries were Aedes mosquitoes are present, WHO Europe said.
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Overall, the risk has been deemed "low to moderate."
It's highest on the island of Madeira and the Black Sea coast of Russia and Georgia, followed by France because of factors including the density of its urban population.
Other countries with moderate risks are, in order of likelihood, Italy, Malta, Croatia, Israel, Spain, Monaco, San Marino, Turkey, Greece, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia, Georgia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. UK is considered low risk.
"WHO urges European countries, especially those with high and moderate likelihood of local Zika virus transmission, to follow these recommendations to prevent or rapidly contain a Zika virus disease outbreak," it said.
"WHO's support to European countries to prepare for and respond to health risks such as Zika virus disease is a key aspect of the reform of WHO's work in emergencies."
The virus is currently present in 58 countries.
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