WHO moves into high gear to combat virus, microcephaly

13:22 - 02 February 2016

WHO moves into high gear to combat Zika, microcephaly

Costello, referring to the link in Brazil between the Zika virus and microcephaly, a condition where babies are born with small heads, said: "We believe the association is guilty until proven innocent."

The

Anthony Costello, a WHO expert, said that the U.N. agency was drawing up "good guidelines" for pregnant women and gathering experts to work on a definition of microcephaly including a standardised measurement of babies' heads.

"Mass community engagement" in areas with the mosquito that carries the Zika virus, and rapid development of diagnostic tools were essential, while a vaccine may be years away, he said.