No Zika-carrying mosquito species found in Armenia

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian Health Minister Armen Muradyan said Wednesday, February 3 the ministry does not exclude the probability of Zika virus’ arrival in the country, adding that the issue was discussed at a meeting with chief epidemiologists and virology and immunology specialists.

Experts say, however, Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmit the virus, are not found in Armenia, also warning travelers to Central and South American countries about the risks of being infected.

Director General of the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention Artavazd Vanyan said they are currently preparing information leaflets on Zika virus, ARKA says.

Zika is a mosquito-borne virus, with mild fever, rash and red eyes being the most common symptoms - an estimated 80% show no symptoms at all though. An outbreak of Zika is now affecting at least 25 countries and territories, most of them in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The World Health Organization on Monday declared a global emergency over the rapidly spreading Zika virus, saying it is an "extraordinary event" that poses a threat to the rest of the world. The declaration was made after an emergency meeting of independent experts called in response to a spike in babies born with brain defects and abnormally small heads in Brazil since the virus was first found there last year.