title: Zika virus: no cases in the Eastern Mediterranean Region but concerns remain.
abstract: Following the WHO declaration on 1 February 2016 of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) with regard to clusters of microcephaly and neurological disorders potentially associated with Zika virus, the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean conducted three rounds of emergency meetings to address enhancing preparedness actions in the Region. The meetings provided up-to-date information on the current situation and agreed on a set of actions for the countries to undertake to enhance their preparedness and response capacities to Zika virus infection and its complications. The most urgent action is to enhance both epidemiological and entomological surveillance between now and the coming rainy seasons in countries with known presence of Aedes mosquitoes. Zika virus like other vector-borne diseases poses a particular challenge to the countries because of their complex nature which requires multidisciplinary competencies and strong rapid interaction among committed sectors. WHO is working closely with partners and countries to ensure the optimum support is provided to the countries to reduce the risk of this newly emerged health threat.
authors.affiliation: Epidemiologist, Pandemic and Epidemic Diseases, Department of Communicable Disease, WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: N N Tran
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Minh
authors.affiliation: Regional Adviser, Health Risk Management, Department of Communicable Disease, WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Huda
authors.affiliation: Regional Adviser, Public Health Laboratories, Department of Communicable Disease, WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Asghar
authors.affiliation: Technical Officer, Epidemiological Surveillance and International Health Regulations, Department of Communicable Disease, WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Samhouri
authors.affiliation: Medical Officer, Pandemic and Epidemic Diseases, Department of Communicable Disease, WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abubakar
authors.affiliation: Technical Officer, Malaria Control and Elimination, Department of Communicable Disease, WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barwa
authors.affiliation: Former Regional Adviser, Epidemiological Surveillance and International Health Regulations, Department of Communicable Disease, WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Shaikh
authors.affiliation: Consultant, Pandemic and Epidemic Diseases, Department of Communicable Disease, WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Buliva
authors.affiliation: Medical Officer, Pandemic and Epidemic Diseases, Health Security and Regulations, Department of Communicable Disease, WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mala
authors.affiliation: Coordinator, Health Security and Regulations, Department of Communicable Disease, WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malik
mesh_terms: D000330:Aedes / Q000821:virology; D000818:Animals; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D019083:Mediterranean Region; D011634:Public Health; D000071244:Zika Virus; D000071243:Zika Virus Infection / Q000517:prevention & control