Earlier on Monday, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Zika virus outbreak a "public health emergency of international concern," after previously warning that the virus would likely infect up to 4 million people.
The Zika virus affects primarily monkeys and humans and is transmitted by daytime-active mosquitos. A causal relationship between Zika virus infection and neurological disorders including microcephaly, which causes babies to be born with small heads, is strongly suspected, though not yet confirmed.
The first case of Zika virus in the Americas was reported in May 2015. Since then, the disease has spread into more than 20 countries across the globe. The first case of Zika virus crossing into Europe has recently been confirmed in Denmark, followed by Sweden and Germany.
