"W.H.O. Advises Delaying Pregnancy in Areas With Zika Transmission"

"People living in areas where the Zika virus is circulating should consider delaying pregnancy to avoid having babies with birth defects, the World Health Organization has concluded.

The advice affects millions of couples in 46 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean where Zika transmission is ongoing or expected. At the moment, Puerto Rico is the only part of the United States known to have local transmission of the virus.

Governments of five countries have issued similar advice, as has the health secretary of Puerto Rico, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has decided against this approach on the grounds that government doctors should not intrude on personal decisions best made by women and their partners."

Donald G. McNeil Jr. reports for the New York Times June 9, 2016.

SEE ALSO:

"Congress Will Work on $1.1 Billion Measure to Fight Zika, McConnell Says" (New York Times)

"New Map Shows Where Zika Mosquitoes Live in U.S." (NBC News)

"U.S. To Send Rapid-Response Teams When Zika Hits Here" (Washington Post)

"Frieden: CDC Will Lose Zika Fight Without Funding" (Politico)