Brazil calls end to Zika emergency

BRAZIL has declared an end to the Zika virus health emergency that cast a shadow over last year’s Olympic Games.

Zika cases have fallen by 95 per cent so far this year, the Health Ministery reported.

The emergency was declared 18 months ago during a surge in cases of the infection which can cause serious defects in babies.

The virus is spread by the aedes aegypti mosquito but an eradication programme means its threat is now much smaller.

But a Health Ministry spokesman warned it will maintain a policy of fighting Zika, dengue and chikungunya. All three illnesses are carried by the aedes aegypti mosquito and experts insist Zika is ‘here to stay’.

Only one athlete contracted Zika during the Games.