Emergency committee on Zika virus to convene next week: WHO
Xinhua, June 8, 2016 Adjust font size:
The third meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on the Zika virus and associated increases in neurological disorders and neonatal malformations will take place early next week, the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicated on Tuesday.
"This is a regular emergency committee. The emergency committees under International Health Regulations are mandated to meet within three months to review the recommendations," WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier explained.
Initially scheduled to take place on June 8, this month's consultation has been pushed backed to next week so that all members and advisors are able to participate.
Discussions will focus on reviewing new evidence on the mosquito-borne disease whose causal relationship with microcephaly and Guillain-Barre syndrome has been established by scientific consensus.
The committee will also look at developments and emerging trends to determine whether adjustments need to be made to current guidelines.
Health experts will furthermore look at evidence around the Olympic Games to take place in Rio de Janeiro this August, with members expected to review travel guidelines.
According to WHO's latest situation report, Brazil is one of 60 countries and territories worldwide reporting ongoing Zika transmission through mosquitoes. Endit