WHO declares spread of Zika virus a global health emergency

The World Health Organization (WHO) said Monday that the Zika virus and its suspected link to birth defects constitute a global public health emergency. “The evidence is growing and it’s getting strong,” said WHO Director-General Margaret Chan, of the suspected link between Zika and microcephaly, in which babies are born with smaller heads and brains. “We need a coordinated international response to make sure we get to the bottom of this.” Acting on the advice of an emergency committee, WHO said there needs to be more surveillance, research, and efforts to control the spread of Zika.