European countries urged to prevent spread of Zika virus by WHO

Every European country in which the Aedes mosquitos is present is at risk of the disease

A health worker fumigates in Mexico (AFP/Getty Images)

European countries are being urged to prevent the spread of the Zika virus disease by the World Health Organisation, stating that each country where the Aedes mosquitos are present is at risk.

There is no vaccine or treatment for the virus, which is thought to be linked to foetuses developing microcephaly causing babies being born with small heads and underdeveloped brains.

The WHO is calling on all European countries where the Aedes mosquitoes - which carry the virus - are present to control the insects, eliminate their breeding sites and plan for insecticide spraying and killing of larvae in case of outbreaks.

People at risk, particularly pregnant women, are to be informed about preventing mosquito bites, as the Zika-carrying mosquitos are known to bite during the day rather than at night.

Countries are being further urged to are being urged to step up their research into the virus disease and its neurological complications, and to develop diagnostic tests and vaccines to combat its spread.

Dr Zsuzanna Jakab, the WHO regional director for Europe, said the “combination of broad geographical distribution of mosquito species that can transmit the virus, the absence of immunity against the virus throughout the world and lack of both a vaccine and rapid, reliable diagnostic tests raises concerns that Zika virus disease will spread globally”.