Speed Reading — Level 1 — 100 wpm 

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The World Health Organisation (WHO) said the Zika virus could become a global pandemic. The outbreak could be more serious than the Ebola virus, which killed over 11,000 people. The WHO said Zika could affect four million people. It is spreading across South and Central America. The WHO warned that Zika is spreading at high speed. It is now a serious threat. The mosquito that carries the virus is spreading worldwide because of warmer weather.

The Zika virus is increasing birth defects in South America. It causes a disease called microcephaly. This is where babies are born with a smaller head and brain damage. Around 4,000 babies were born in Brazil with microcephaly last year. In 2014, there were just 150 cases. In Colombia, 2,100 pregnant women have the virus. It is difficult to find a vaccine for the Zika virus. Doctors must test a vaccine on pregnant women. This would be a very difficult problem.

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