As many countries continue to battle the Zika virus, scientists are working against time to create a potent vaccine. The World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed that a vaccine against the Zika virus will be available in at least 18 months.

Brazil, the most severely affected nation, has been increasing its efforts to combat the scourge. Authorities have been sending out teams to help control the spread of the virus, which was declared a global health emergency in November. The most effective way to curb the disease is by eliminating its carrier, the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

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As the August Rio Olympic Games fast approaches, there are questions about Brazil's ability to host the global competition given the ongoing outbreak of the Zika virus. However, Rio De Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes has brushed off the apprehensions, pointing out that the Zika virus is not an impending threat to the event. 

"We have to deal with the Zika problem, but that is not an Olympic issue. It is an issue for us Brazilians and for Rio de Janeiro," he said.

He stressed that the dry season falls in July and August, with a lower possibility of mosquitoes breeding in stagnant water. Paes vowed not to give up in the fight, encouraging people to take all the necessary precautions to avoid any athlete or visitors from getting infected with the virus. He also downplayed fears about the virus, noting that there are exaggerations made about its risks. 

This past weekend, the Brazilian Health Ministry carried out a mobilization campaign across the country to annihilate Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in 350 cities deemed to be most vulnerable. The campaign includes house-to-house visits, reaching at least 3 million homes and distributing over 4 million leaflets on Saturday, Aldo Rebelo, Brazil's Defense Minister, said.

Currently, of the more than 4,000 reported microcephaly cases across Brazil, over 400 have been confirmed.

Over half a million individuals, including more than 220,000 soldiers, have been dispatched to various locations to exterminate the mosquitoes in Brazil. So far, they have already visited nearly 24 million establishments, including public buildings, commercial properties and private houses.

The WHO announced last week Friday that potential large-scale clinical testing of Zika vaccines is anticipated in at least 18 months. The health body further advised pregnant women and those planning to get pregnant to delay travel to Zika virus-affected nations.

Meanwhile, China has recently discharged its first patient infected with the Zika virus and also confirmed its second imported case. The country claimed it is tightening security in its southwestern border in the province of Yunnan with a 24-hour lab to test for the virus.

TagsZika virus, china, Olympic Games, Rio de Janeiro