Zika virus spreading mosquito is heading towards Europe, experts warn
Pregnant women travelling to the Med are told to take precautions as virus causes defects in unborn babies
THE risk of the Zika virus spreading to Europe is “real”, warn health experts.
They said pregnant women holidaying in the Med should take precautions.
Professor Jimmy Whitworth, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: “Countries in Europe, including France and Italy, need to be especially vigilant.”
A third of countries in Europe have a “moderate” risk of a Zika outbreak, according to the World Health Organisation.
The UK is deemed to be “low” risk but global health chiefs have urged all governments to be prepared.
The risk of infection is high on the Portuguese island of Madeira and the North East Black Sea coast, where the Aedes aegypti mosquito is prevalent.
Figures show that 23 UK travellers have been infected after visiting affected regions.
The virus is thought to cause birth defects in unborn children and has been linked to Guillain-Barre syndrome, which can paralyse and kill.
Paul Hunter, Professor of Health Protection at the University of East Anglia, said: “The warning about the risk of Zika virus in Europe is timely and real.”
Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368.