The unprecedented outbreak of the virus, first discovered in Uganda in 1947, has become a global concern, with Zika now strongly suspected of causing two serious neurological disorders, microcephaly and Guillain-Barre syndrome.
The UN's health agency said it needed USD 25 million to fund its own response plan, while an additional USD 31 million would support the work of key partners.
"The strategy focuses on mobilising and coordinating partners, experts and resources to help countries enhance surveillance of the Zika virus and disorders that could be linked to it," a WHO statement said.
The outbreak has predominantly affected the Americas, with Brazil the hardest-hit country by far.
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While Zika itself typically involves mild, flu-like symptoms, global anxiety has been driven by the likely link to likely link to microcephaly -- which can cause severe birth malformations and defects -- and Guillan-Barre, which can cause brain damage and even death.
WHO said it was it was financing its initial operations from an "emergency contingency fund".