”Barnsoldater” i Brasilien tar upp kampen mot zika

As of early 2016, the most widespread outbreak of Zika fever, caused by the Zika virus, is ongoing primarily in the Americas. The outbreak began in April 2015 in Brazil, and subsequently spread to other countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. In January 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) said the virus was likely to spread throughout most of the Americas by the end of the year; and in February 2016, the WHO declared the cluster of microcephaly and Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) cases reported in Brazil – strongly suspected to be associated with the Zika virus outbreak – a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The virus is mainly spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is commonly found throughout the tropical and subtropical Americas; it is also spread by the Aedes albopictus ("Asian tiger") mosquito, which has become widespread as far north as the Great Lakes region of North America. The Zika virus can also be sexually transmitted. Most Zika virus infections are asymptomatic, rendering precise estimates of the number of cases difficult to determine. In approximately one in five cases, Zika virus infections result in a minor illness known as Zika fever, which causes such symptoms as fever and a rash. Additionally, Zika virus infections of pregnant women have a suspected link with newborn microcephaly by mother-to-child transmission and, in some cases, GBS. A number of countries have issued travel warnings, and the outbreak is expected to significantly impact the tourism industry.