Obama calls for tests, vaccines, and treatments as Zika virus spreads rapidly

President Obama urges preventative action.
(Image credit: iStock)

President Obama called Tuesday for the rapid development of tests, vaccines, and treatments to fight the Zika virus, a mosquito-borne illness quickly spreading through the Americas that is predicted to reach the U.S. There's currently no treatment or preventative vaccine for the virus, which has already been linked to brain damage in thousands of babies in Brazil.

Airlines are also making an effort to slow the spread of Zika virus by offering refunds to customers — particularly pregnant women — who have booked flights to affected countries in central and South America. The virus has spread to an estimated 25 countries so far.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us