The government is setting up an inter-ministerial group to oversee a potential crisis in case the Zika virus spreads to Malta, parliamentary secretary Chris Fearne said today.
The Zika virus is spreading rapidly through Latin America. Most people who contract it have either mild or no symptoms, but it is suspected of causing a birth defect in which babies are born with abnormally small heads.
The virus has also spread to European nations via travellers who had visited Latin American countries. The first case in China was also reported today.
In a tweet, parliamentary secretary Chris Fearne said that the Chief Medical Officer will be chairing an inter-ministerial Zika Preparedness Working Group. The Opposition will participate in the group, he said.