The risk of catching the
Zika virus in Europe could grow in the spring and summer with
the return of tiger mosquitoes that can transmit it, a World
Health Organisation (WHO) official said on Thursday.
Roberto Bertollini from the WHO told the European
Parliament's environment commission that the risk of catching
the virus in Europe in winter is low, but that would change in
coming months in some southern European countries.
The Aedes aegypti mosquito mainly responsible for spreading
the disease linked to microcephaly in children is limited to
areas around the Black Sea in Europe, he said.
But the tiger mosquito found in Italy, Greece, Croatia,
Spain and the South of France could also spread it if they bite
someone with the virus then bite healthy people.
Bertollini said the only recommendations for European
citizens who have to travel to Zika-infected regions are to try
to protect themselves from mosquito bites, by using repellents
and mosquito nets.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
