The World Health Organisation has declared that the Zika virus and related neurological complications no longer constitute an international emergency but says it will continue to work on the outbreak through a "robust programme". Photo: Wikimedia CommonsThe WHO's Emergency Committee declared an international public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) in February this year. However, in a statement on Friday it said the commitee felt that "the Zika virus and associated consequences remain a significant enduring public health challenge requiring intense action but no longer represent a PHEIC." "We are not downgrading the importance of Zika, by placing this as a longer programme of work, we are sending the message that Zika is here to stay," Dr Peter Salama, executive director of WHO's Health Emergencies Programme, told reporters. There is no treatment or vaccine for Zika infection.

Source: Otago Daily Times November 18, 2016 20:31 UTC