Zika, a flu-like virus transmitted by mosquitoes, is no longer a global health emergency, according to the World Health Organization. 

In 2014, the Zika virus began to gain attention from the medical community when a surge of babies born with microcephaly (underdeveloped brains) appeared in Brazil. In 2015, when the cause of microcephaly was pinned on the Zika virus, it caused global consternation and women everywhere were controversially warned against getting pregnant in Brazil.   

The virus rapidly spread throughout Latin America over the next year and in the beginning of 2016, the World Health Organization finally declared the virus a global health emergency. 

Read More: What You Need to Know About the Zika Virus

This announcement unleashed funding to combat Zika and it spurred collaboration around the world, but it also increased fears. As the 2016 Olympics in Rio approached, officials worried that the influx of foreign tourists would cause the virus to go global. 

This fear wasn't quite borne out and so officials at WHO decided to retire the status of "global emergency" today.

However, the WHO remains deeply concerned that a resurgence is possible, especially because mosquito-borne diseases are seasonal. If countries do not remain vigilant in the year ahead with increased funding and safety measures, then Zika could come back stronger than ever. 

Read More: Zika Outbreak: 30 Teams, 7 Months, a Funding Crisis, and No Vaccines

"We are not downgrading the importance of Zika," Dr. Peter Salama, executive director of the WHO's emergencies program told The New York Times. "We are sending the message that Zika is here to stay and the WHO response is here to stay."

Research teams around the world are working on developing a vaccine for Zika, and if they succeed, then this threat level can be downgraded even further.