The Zika epidemic that started in Brazil has now prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a global health emergency. According to Reuters, this will be the fourth time that the organization will make a declaration on a specific disease. Previously, WHO declared a global health emergency on polio, Ebola and influenza.

The Zika epidemic recently brought concern over its threatening effect on pregnant women. Microcephaly, which results to newborns with small heads and undeveloped brains, is known to be the Zika virus' primary effect. WHO Director-General Margaret Chan, though advising pregnant women to delay their travel in Zika-affected countries said, if it's immediate, they can always opt to use protection such as mosquito repellents and cover-ups.

After receiving wide criticism about their lack of reaction to the killer Ebola virus, she said, "First and foremost the big concern about microcephaly." Despite admitting the absence of any scientific evidence that the Zika virus actually causes microcephaly on newborn children, the case shows a strong link between the two.

She also added, "Can you imagine if we do not do all this work now, and wait until the scientific evidence comes out? Then people will say that, 'Why don't you take action because the mosquito is ubiquitous?'"

According to BBC, the level of alert that WHO has put on the Zika virus has been the same with Ebola's previous declaration. WHO also predicts a massive spread of the Zika virus in the Americas. Brazil apparently has 4,000 reported cases of microcephaly. Putting the epidemic on the same alert level as Ebola also means that immediate research and help on the issue is a top priority.

Chan's statement said, "I am now declaring that the recent cluster of microcephaly and other neurological abnormalities reported in Latin America following a similar cluster in French Polynesia in 2014 constitutes a public health emergency of international concern."

The publication notes that the Zika virus has no known medication or form of vaccine. An individual's best chance of avoiding the virus is to not get bitten by the Aedes mosquito. If infected, primary symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis. The Zika virus displays a mild effect to the infected adult but has significantly shown great damage on the unborn baby.

A paralysis disorder called the Guillain-Barre syndrome has also been said to adhere with the Zika virus with very minimal and isolated cases. Despite doubts about the real effect of the Zika virus, WHO is not taking any chances and has declared a global health emergency as a precautionary measure.