The World Health Organization said Thursday that the mosquito-borne Zika virus is spreading so "explosively" that immediate action is necessary. WHO estimates that the virus, which has already been linked to thousands of birth defects in Brazil, could affect up to four million people in the Americas.
"We are not going to wait for the science to tell us there is a link [with birth defects]," WHO General-Director Margaret Chan said. "We need to take actions now."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.