Most of the projected losses to the region take the form of foregone income from tourists — especially pregnant women — who might cancel their trips out of concern that contracting the virus could lead to birth defects.
The United Nations on Friday urged countries hit by the Zika virus to give women access to contraception and abortion, as health officials warned that sex or even kissing could potentially spread the disease.
"The clusters of microcephaly and other neurological complications constitute an extraordinary event and a public health threat to other parts of the world," WHO chief Margaret Chan told reporters.
The World Health Organization warned Thursday that Zika is spreading "explosively" through the Americas, predicting up to four million cases. Costa Rica announced Friday that it had detected its second case.
Following the confirmation of the first case of a Tico infected with the rapidly spreading Zika virus, Costa Rica Health Ministry officials on Wednesday announced new steps to boost surveillance at all entry points into the country.
