The Zika outbreak has now been declared a global public health emergency. The infection has spread from north-eastern Brazil to 24 other countries in the Americas, with one case in the US.
So what do we know so far? The virus, thought to cause babies to be born with underdeveloped brains, is spread through bites of the aedes aegypti mosquito, and new reports claim it can also be sexually transmitted.
The biggest concern is the impact it could have on pregnant women and the surge in microcephaly (of which symptoms include below-average head sizes).
But amid all the reports, we want to hear from the people in countries affected about what’s happening. Here are some questions to consider:
- How have you been affected?
- What are your fears around the virus?
- How have you changed your life in accordance with any worries?
- Are you concerned about news it could be sexually transmittable?
- Are the politicians in your country addressing the issue in an active and useful way?
- How does this bear on the debate around abortion in your country?
- How will all this affect the Rio 2016 Olympics?
Share your views, stories and experiences with us through the link below.
