KATHMANDU: The United Nations Population Fund said it would closely monitor the Zika virus in countries around the world, including Nepal, and spread awareness about the virus.

"We are closely monitoring the possible spread of the virus particularly from Latin America to other regions," the UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehim stated.

The UN agency is currently working to warn people about potential effects of Zika virus on the health of women and babies.

With a recent discovery that the virus can be transmitted through sexual contact also, the UNFPA’s role has increased as an agency working on sexual and reproductive health sector, it maintained.

The virus, however, was not found yet in Nepal.

In its statement, the UNFPA said women and girls should be able to make decisions about family planning and to protect their babies and themselves if they decide to become pregnant.

Pregnant women have been advised to seek prenatal care and take extra care in order to avoid exposure to mosquito bites with preventive measures and to avoid any possible mother-to-child transmission.

Women of childbearing age, who want to avoid become pregnant, have been advised to use contraceptives and those who want to become pregnant are asked to get monitored and opt for preventive measures to avoid the virus.

The UNFPA said there is no vaccine or any specific treatment for the Zika virus infection till date.

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