WHO says Zika no longer a public health emergency

The World Health Organization declared Friday that the Zika virus is no longer a public health emergency, but emphasized it is still a major problem that is going to require a long-term response.

The WHO declared earlier this year that the virus’ link to the birth defect microcephaly, which causes babies to be born with abnormally small heads, was a public health emergency. The declaration, similar to other outbreaks such as the recent Ebola outbreak in West Africa, opened up new funding streams.