Mideast Zika-free zone, but vulnerable: WHO

RIYADH: The Eastern Mediterranean Office (EMRO) of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday announced that the region is considered a Zika virus-free zone. Dr. Alaa Alwan, the regional director of EMRO, said that it does not mean that Middle Eastern countries are not vulnerable to the mosquito-borne disease. “The presence of mosquitoes in a number of countries in the Middle East goes for the possibility.” However, WHO is closely working with regional ministries of health to curb mosquitoes and strengthen disease-monitoring mechanisms.   Arab News