Pregnant women are being advised to not consider travelling to countries affected by the mosquito-borne zika virus for fear of harming their unborn children - a chilling warning.
Zika is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is also known to carry the dengue, yellow fever and Chikungunya viruses.
Most concerningly, there is no vaccine or treatment for zika, which typically causes mild fevers and rashes.
The zika virus is a disease first seen in Africa in 1947 and is now spreading quickly through Central and South America.
Yesterday, (Wednesday) there was confirmation of the virus appearing in northern Australia.
Although most of New Zealand is regarded as too cold for the mosquito, there is no guarantee of safety.
Outbreaks have been recorded in the Pacific Islands, one of New Zealander's most popular holiday spots.
Researchers link microcephaly, a neurological disorder where infants are born with smaller craniums and brains, to zika virus.
Already, heart wrenching images are appearing of new mothers cradling their children as a health official measures their heads to check for signs of the virus.
Health officials in New Zealand say it is too soon to know whether pregnant women should not travel to Brazil for the Olympics in August as the current rainy season is the perfect time for insect diseases.
By August, it is dry season in the south of Brazil, so the outbreak may have died down.
There still may be cases close to the Equator where it rains frequently.
Brazil has so far reported more than 4000 suspected cases of microcephaly, more than 30 times more than has been reported in any year since 2010.
Brazilian authorities say inspections of Olympic facilities will begin four months before the games to get rid of mosquito breeding grounds and daily sweeps will take place during the competition.
Fumigation will be an option but will be limited because of concerns for the health of the athletes.
All of this adds to the concerns already raised about water quality for the rowing and sailing events at the Olympics.
The World Health Organisation says more than 20 countries are affected with the rapid spread of zika being attributed to the population of the Americas having not previously been exposed and so lack immunity.
The WHO says there is no evidence of zika being transmitted to babies through breast milk.
Pregnant women planning to travel to areas where the virus is circulating are advised to consult a healthcare provider before travelling and on their return.
United States health officials are increasing their efforts to study the link between zika infections and birth defects in infants amid predictions for widespread circulation of the virus within the US during warmer months.
The US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease is conducting studies to more fully understand the effects of zika in humans and to develop better diagnostic tests to quickly determine if someone has been infected.
The national institute is also working on testing new drugs that may be effective against the virus.
It is important the response from the global research community in finding a vaccine is faster than with Ebola.
The lessons learned from Ebola need to be applied because zika may be a major public health issue in these countries.
There are many unknowns and research is urgently needed to understand what is happening and how to prevent further cases.
Clinical trials must start as quickly as possible.
One of the unfair aspects of the spread of zika is how it is affecting some of the world's poorer communities.
Unless richer nations take the spread seriously and pour money into research, prevention and hopefully a cure, many more children face an uncertain life ahead.
