Zika virus may spark international health emergency

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The Zika virus may be on the verge of reaching the status of an international health emergency.

The World Health Organization will hold an emergency meeting next week to decide on whether or not to designate such a status.

Officials said at a meeting today the Zika virus is spreading explosively, and has been linked to birth defects and neurological problems.

One scientist says the Americans could see up to four million cases of Zika in the next year.

Earlier this month, the CDC said pregnant women should consider postponing trips to more than a dozen countries where Zika virus is known.