Zika outbreak News

As Zika spreads throughout the world, the call for rapid development of therapeutics to treat Zika rings loud and clear.

Myanmar is largely unprepared for an outbreak of Zika, experts say, with the health ministry slashing anti-virus measures due to lack of funds, overworked doctors skipping check-ups and pregnant women saying they are in the dark about the dangers.

Brazil, the epicentre of the outbreak, has however refused to downgrade the risk, while experts swiftly lashed out against the world health body's decision.

 Authorities in Malaysia have detected the nations first locally-transmitted Zika case in a 61-old-man in Sabah on the Kalimantan island.

 Zika virus is spreading fast in Puerto Rico, infecting as many as 50 pregnant women per day and raising the risk of birth defects, US health officials have said.

Rocklov's team used a temperature dependent computer model to predict Zika virus infection risks for Europe.

The study, conducted in a remote, urban area of Guatemala, documents a cheap, easy system to reduce virus-carrying Aedesgenus mosquitoes by capturing and destroying its eggs.

South African health authorities on Friday confirmed the first Zika case involving a Colombian businessman.

Brazil is the worst-hit country in the outbreak of Zika that is sweeping the Americas.

It has since become the country worst affected by microcephaly, with 270 confirmed cases and 3,448 suspected cases, up from 147 in 2014.