Baltimore Health Officials Create Group To Combat Zika Virus

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A special group has been put together to prepare for any potential dangers the Zika virus could have on Baltimore City.

Marcus Washington reports it's a push after the World Health Organization declared the virus a worldwide public health emergency.

The Zika virus has created fear worldwide.

"This is a quickly evolving situation," said Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen.

The Zika virus has been around since the 1940s but recently has made its way to the Americas, with recent cases in Maryland, DC, Delaware and Virginia.

"This is something that we in the Baltimore City Health Department are monitoring very closely every day with our partners at the state, federal and international levels," Wen said.

Baltimore City Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake recently announced the plan to put together a group this week to help prepare for the worst.

The Zika virus, a mosquito-borne disease, is known to cause birth defects where babies are born with abnormally small heads and brains.

Some pregnant women have decided to postpone international travel.

With no known vaccine, many people are being very careful.

This month alone, Zika transmission has been reported in 26 countries in North and South America.