Join left-right and center host Bob Shear for his new podcast, Shear Intelligence. The twice-monthly

podcast features thinkers and trendsetters in conversation with one of political journalism's leading voices.

Through the show's unique and sometimes surprising perspectives, you'll get up to speed

on the current issues shaping the Beltway and the world. Find sheer

intelligence on KCRW's iTunes page. From KCRW in Santa Monica and PRI, Public Radio International,

this is To the Point. The Zika virus. What's known and what's not?

Hello again, I'm Arminolny, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International,

a daily look at the issues Americans got about most.

The World Health Organization says, alarm is high, but so is uncertainty.

In the next year, the Zika virus might infect 3 to 4 million people.

But nobody knows for sure if the mosquito-born illness really is responsible for birth defects in South American babies.

Women there are being warned about pregnancy and the WHO today called an emergency.

U.S. health officials say an outbreak here is unlikely.

We'll hear from Brazil, where fear is on the rise, and get the latest on controlling mosquitoes.

Today's talking point, how did Iowa get to be so important?

First, here's the news.

Listen to KCRW's 24-hour all-news channel.

Stream BBC World Service, NPR and KCRW programs,

continuous coverage and accessible via our smartphone app or online at kCRW.com. Support for To The Point comes from the members of KCRW and from the Public Radio International Program Fund.

Hello again, Warren Allene, back with To The Pull.

The World Health Organization today declared the spread of the Zika virus and international

health emergency, but it said that travel restrictions are not necessary. It's still not clear

...