Colombia says Zika epidemic over

Authorities in Colombia have declared an end to the Zika epidemic in the South American nation, the second-hardest hit in the region from the mosquito-borne virus. The Health Ministry said Monday the number of cases of the virus have been falling steadily to as few as 600 per week compared to more than 10 times that amount at the outbreak’s peak in February. Since Zika arrived in Colombia in September of 2015, there have been almost 100,000 cases reported, although laboratory tests have confirmed only around 9,000. Authorities said that the virus will not disappear completely. So far this year, 150 children have been born with Zika-linked birth defects. Authorities warn 17,730 pregnant women have diagnosed with Zika.