Thursday (January 28th) the World Health Organization announced the Zika virus is “spreading explosively” across the Americas. According to health officials 23 countries have been affected by the mosquitoes that are spreading the virus locally. The CDC reports 31 confirmed cases throughout out the United States over 11 states and the District of Columbia – which all stem from travel. The Zika virus originates from Brazil and public health officials are currently investigating a link between the virus and a rare brain defect called microcephaly which effects infants, in addition to a nervous system syndrome known as Guillain-Barré. WHO predicts three to four million people could be infected with Zika virus in the Americas this year.