Zika Virus Guidance

3 February 2016:

World Vision Latin America Caribbean Region is declaring a Category III Global Response in order to address the explosive spread of the Zika Virus in the region, where thousands of infections, have been recorded. Zika virus is present in 26 countries, 12 in which World Vision operates. WHO estimates that the epidemic could affect about 400 million people in Latin American and the Caribbean and has therefore declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.  The primary risk is to pregnant women and their unborn children, as the virus can cause microcephaly, a condition in which babies are born with overly small heads.

The most important protective measures recommended are the control of mosquito population and the prevention of mosquito bites in at risk individuals, especially pregnant women.  This document is a Quick Guide for National Office Prevention and Response.