WHO estimates Zika virus will spread to Europe in summer

Low to moderate risk, says WHO Europe

The World health Organisation (WHO) predicts the deadly Zika virus will spread to Europe this summer. In its assessment WHO Europe estimates that the outbreak of the mosquito-borne virus, which is the cause of thousands of microcephaly cases, is more likely to occur in countries where the Aedes mosquitoes are widespread. 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. Overall, the risks is deemed ‘low to moderate’