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Central American Countries Agree on Plan to Counter Spread of Zika Virus

© Flickr / Katja SchulzDoes not transmit Zika virus!
Does not transmit Zika virus! - Sputnik International
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The Central American Integration System (SICA) member states have agreed to implement a regional action plan to fight against the spread of the Zika virus.

MEXICO CITY (Sputnik) – The SICA foreign and health ministers agreed to the plan in a video conference on Wednesday.

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As part of the plan, public institutions and private organizations will be mobilized to destroy the breeding sites of mosquitos that spread Zika.

The Zika virus affects primarily monkeys and humans and is transmitted by daytime-active mosquitos. It does not cause serious complications in adults, but it can lead to severe brain defects in newborns.

Salvadoran Public Health Minister Violeta Menjivar said as quoted by local media on Wednesday that the most important aspects of the fight against Zika are "the destruction of [mosquito] breeding grounds" and "protective measures to prevent mosquito bites, mainly in pregnant women."

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SICA member-states agreed to take measures to protect people, particularly pregnant women, from mosquito bites.

The current Zika outbreak started in Brazil in the spring of 2015. It has since spread across Latin America, with cases having been reported in several European countries, including Germany, as well as the United States.

Argentina’s health authorities reported a second Zika case on Wednesday.

Earlier this week, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Zika virus outbreak a public health emergency.

At present, there is no vaccine available to treat the Zika virus.

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