MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Zika virus affects primarily monkeys and humans and is transmitted by daytime-active mosquitoes. Zika does not cause serious complications in adults, but it is suspected of leading to severe brain defects in newborns.
"We are taking measures to ensure that their [donors] blood contains no virus. Those who arrive from countries affected by the virus must not donate blood before a 28-day period expires," Touraine told Europe-1 radio network.
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 and the United States.
