Response Highlights
UNICEF response to ZIKV (Zika virus) continues in 32 countries and territories across Latin America and the Caribbean. From working with communities to challenge the low risk perception of ZIKV to supporting the identification of appropriate care and support activities for children with Congenital Zika Syndrome, UNICEF is working with governments and other partners across the region to implement their response strategies.
Prevention of ZIKV and its impact on children and families continues to be a priority line of work as part of the response. Activities are focused on the most at risk groups, namely pregnant women, women of child-bearing age and their partners. Prevention strategies, including those for mass communication and community engagement, are focused around elimination of mosquito breeding sites, personal protection, prevention of sexual transmission of the virus, and informing adequately about the risk during pregnancy.
As the number of microcephaly and other ZIKV related congenital malformations continue to increase, UNICEF is scaling up its response to ensure an integrated multi sectorial approach for the care and support of affected children and their families.
UNICEF continues to coordinate, undertake and share research to ensure evidence based interventions are undertaken, with a particular emphasis on barriers to adopting desired behaviours.