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WHO sees further rise of Zika cases in Asia-Pacific region

The World Health Organization says cases of the mosquito-born Zika virus infection are expected to continue rising in the Asia-Pacific region and health authorities there are increasing surveillance, preparing responses to complications and collaborating on information about the disease.

(Associated Press)

Manila

Mon, October 10, 2016 Published on Oct. 10, 2016 Published on 2016-10-10T17:15:18+07:00

A worker from the Ministry of Health sprays mosquito insecticide fog in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, a day after two new Zika virus infection cases were detected in the country, Sept. 14, 2016. (AP/Joshua Paul)

T

he World Health Organization says cases of the mosquito-born Zika virus infection are expected to continue rising in the Asia-Pacific region and health authorities there are increasing surveillance, preparing responses to complications and collaborating on information about the disease.

WHO Director General Margaret Chan, addressing a Western Pacific regional meeting of the world health body, said Monday that complicating the fight against Zika is the lack of a "foolproof" approach to mosquito control, as shown by decades of efforts to contain dengue virus.

Officials say Zika symptoms are mild and no deaths have been reported globally. But health officials are preparing for complications like microcephaly — an abnormally small head of babies born to infected mothers.