Zika virus is no longer a global public health emergency, WHO says

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Zika is most commonly spread through mosquitoes. Credit: Reuters

The mosquito-borne Zika virus is no longer an international public health emergency, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said.

But as it lifted the nine-month declaration, the United Nations health agency said it remains a "significant and enduring public health challenge".

The infection has been linked to birth defects in almost 30 countries, including microcephaly, where babies are born with abnormally small heads and restricted brain development.

A mother pictured with her two-month-old baby who was born with microcephaly. Credit: Reuters

The "public health emergency of international concern" was declared in February this year after outbreaks of the virus in Brazil.

During the height of the epidemic requests for abortions doubled in affected Latin American countries, a study revealed

Many women were also advised not to get pregnant in Zika-infected zones. Credit: Reuters

Dr David Heymann, chair of the Zika emergency committee, said it "led the world to an urgent and co-ordinated response", during a press conference following a meeting of international experts.

"The response has provided a clear understanding that Zika virus infection and associated consequences represent a highly significant and a long-term problem," he said.

Dr Pete Salama, executive director of the WHO's health emergencies programme, said: "The director-general has accepted the recommendations of the emergency committee and declared an end to the public health emergency of international concern."

Derek Moore, the chairman of the Association of Independent Tour Operators, said the declaration could provide "a little potential boost for areas of the world that have been affected by Zika, particularly Latin America".