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Tag: Zika Virus

  • WHO confirms Zika virus in Africa

    WHO confirms Zika virus in Africa

    The Zika virus blamed for neurological disorders and birth abnormalities in Brazil has been confirmed to be circulating in Africa for the first.

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Friday said this is confirmed after sequenced from a sample from Cape Verde.

    Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Africa Director, said the findings are of concern because it is further proof that the outbreak is spreading beyond South America and is on the doorstep of Africa.

    She said the information would help African countries to re-evaluate their level of risk and adapt and increase their levels of preparedness.

    Moeti said she would not recommend strict travel restrictions to try to stop the spread of the disease.

     

  • Zika virus causes birth defects- CDC

    Zika virus causes birth defects- CDC

    The United State Centres for Disease Control and prevention {CDC} has confirmed that the dreaded  Zika virus causes microcephaly and other birth defects,

    This was disclosed on Wednesday through the Director  of CDC, Dr. Tom Frieden .

    According to CDC, based on all of the available evidence,  two separate sets of criteria to determine a pathogen or environmental exposure causes a birth defect have been met.

    In the same vein, Dr. Sonja Rasmussen, lead author of the report and editor-in-chief of CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report reiterated further that there was no alternative explanation to account for the increase in these congenital defects among women who had the Zika virus during pregnancy.

    Also unknown is the full range of health problems that can result from the virus. Cases of Zika-related microcephaly and congenital birth defects appear to be more severe than what pediatricians see from non-Zika related microcephaly based on clinical reports.

    These include smaller head measurements than expected and a condition called fetal brain disruption sequence in which the virus has a destructive effect on the brain.

    Reinforcing the CDC announcement, researchers released a new study looking at brain scans of babies born with suspected Zika related microcephaly in Pernambuco, Brazil, between July and December of last year. They looked at MRI and CT scans of 23 babies and found most of them had severe brain damage they characterized as “extremely severe” and an indication of “poor prognosis of neurological function.”

    “We know mosquito bites spread other diseases as well, so it’s important for pregnant women, and everyone, to not get bitten by mosquitoes,” Rasmussen said. That means wearing long pants and long sleeves when outside, using mosquito repellant and removing any standing water from around homes and throughout communities.

    CDC teams have been proceeding as if this was the case even without the official conclusion, but now Rasmussen hopes this will not only raise awareness about prevention but also add focus to ongoing Zika research.

    According to CNN, , President Barack Obama will sign a bill that offers incentives to companies working on Zika treatments and vaccines. White House press secretary Josh Earnest said the bill is positive but meager, in reference to the pending request to Congress for $1.9 billion in emergency Zika funds.

    “In some ways, it’s akin to passing out umbrellas in the advance of a potential hurricane. An umbrella might come in handy, but it’s going to be insufficient to ensure that communities all across the country are protected from a potentially significant impact.”

    Last week the World Health Organization {WHO} reported that the mosquito-borne virus causes microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome.

    The CDC however, said they are not yet ready to conclude the virus causes Guillain-Barré syndrome. More than 1,000 cases of microcephaly and other fetal malformations believed to be Zika-associated have been reported from six countries, according to the WHO.

     

  • Vietnam reports two cases of Zika virus

    Vietnam reports two cases of Zika virus

    Two women in Vietnam have been infected with the Zika virus

     

    According to report, a 64-year-old woman from the popular beach resort of Nha Trang became the country’s first casuality of the case after being admitted to hospital complaining of fever, headache and a rash on her legs, while a 33-year-old woman with eight weeks pregnancy became the second victim of the virus.

    An online newspaper,  Vnexpress reported that 1,215 samples have been sent for testing for suspected Zika in 32 provinces throughout the country.

    It is not clear if either of the women have recently travelled abroad, or whether they were infected with Zika in Vietnam.

    However, health officials have quarantined the living areas of the patient’s families and taken samples from others living nearby for further tests.

     

    There have been a smaller number of cases in countries closer to Vietnam such as Thailand, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and South Korea.

     

    The Zika virus, which is carried by mosquitoes and transmitted to humans, is thought to cause microcephaly.

    Characterised by unusually small heads, microcephaly can result in developmental problems in babies.

  • WHO supports Cape Verde in managing Zika Virus

    WHO supports Cape Verde in managing Zika Virus

    Responding to a request from the Ministry of Health in Cape Verde, the UN World Health Organisation (WHO) is sending a team to the country with joint participation of experts from WHO AFRO and the Institute Pasteur, Dakar.

    A statement issued by WHO on Monday said that the number of cases of Zika in Cape Verde was declining.

    It will be recalled that the ministry had on March 15, announced the first case of microcephaly.

    It said that investigations were underway to determine if this case of microcephaly was linked to Cape Verde’s outbreak of Zika virus.

    Among the 7,490 suspected cases of Zika virus reported between Oct. 21, 2015, and March 6, 165 involve pregnant women, from which 44 women have already delivered without any complications or abnormalities.

    Between Feb. 29 and March 6, 33 suspected cases of Zika were registered in Cape Verde, in Santiago Island and São Filipe municipality.

    The statement said that there had been no circulation of the Zika virus on the islands of Sal, São Vicente, Santo Antão, São Nicolau and Brava.

    It said that there have been no cases reported on the islands of Boa Vista and Maio since mid-February.

    It said that the team included epidemiologists, laboratory experts, maternal health specialists and communication staff who would collaborate with the ministry to evaluate the reported case of microcephaly and gain a better understanding of the dynamics of the outbreak and its impact.

    It will also identify potential remaining gaps and to support the country’s response and investigations.

    “The team will be building on the work already underway by the health authorities in the country,” WHO said.

     

  • Zika outbreak will worsen before it gets better – WHO

    Zika outbreak will worsen before it gets better – WHO

    The Director-General, World Head Organisation (WHO), Margaret Chan, has warned that Zika outbreak would likely worsen before nations infected by the mosquito-borne virus get some relief.

    She made the statement on Thursday in Rio de Janeiro at the end of her two-day visit to Brazil, the country at the epicentre of the Zika crisis.

    “Things may get worse before they get better.

    “Don’t be surprised to see microcephaly reported in other parts of Brazil,” she said.

    Chan said that though the outbreak of Zika virus had been concentrated in the northeastern part of Brazil, there is possibility of it spreading to other parts of the country.

    Much remains unknown about Zika, including whether the virus actually causes microcephaly, (a condition marked by unusually small heads of the offspring of women affected by the disease that could result in developmental problems).

    Chan said that scientists were still working to determine the relationship between the virus and the birth defect.

    She said that Brazil had confirmed more than 580 cases of microcephaly, and considers most of them to be related to Zika infections in the mothers.

    “Brazil is investigating more than 4,100 additional suspected cases of microcephaly,’’ she said.

    The D-G said that after Brazil, Colombia had been hardest hit by Zika infections with the country’s health officials reporting a probable case of microcephaly possibly linked to Zika in an aborted fetus.

    She said that Colombia had reported more than 37,000 cases of Zika including 6,356 in pregnant women, but was yet to have a confirmed microcephaly case linked to the virus.

    “At least 34 countries, mostly in the Americas, have active Zika outbreaks and the virus is expected to spread,’’ she said.

    Chan said that WHO declared the outbreak an international health emergency on Feb. 1, and cited “strongly suspected” relationship between Zika infection in pregnancy and microcephaly.

    She said that scientists were also studying a potential link between Zika infection and Guillain-Barre, a rare neurological disorder that could weaken the muscles and cause paralysis.

  • U.S. reports 14 new cases of  Zika sexual transmission

    U.S. reports 14 new cases of  Zika sexual transmission

    The U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said it was investigating 14 new reports of possible sexual transmission of the Zika virus in the country.

    The CDC said in a statement on Wednesday in Washington that several of the cases involved pregnant women.

    It said it has earlier this month published an interim recommendation for protecting people against sexual transmission of the Zika virus.

    The CDC said that in two of the new suspected sexual transmission events, Zika virus infection was confirmed in women whose only known risk factor was sexual contact with an ill male partner.

    The reported noted that male partner had recently travelled to an area with local Zika virus transmission.

    The CDC said further that four additional suspected sexual transmission events, preliminary laboratory evidence was available for the women, but confirmatory tests are pending.

    “Eight other cases are still under investigation.

    “In all events for which information is available, travelers were men and reported symptom onset was within two weeks before the non-travelling female partner’s symptoms began.

    “Like previously reported cases of sexual transmission, these cases involve possible transmission of the virus from men to their sex partners,” it added.

    The statement said further that it has released guidelines on preventing Zika sexual transmission, following lab confirmation of the first case of virus infection in a non-traveler in the continental U.S. who was linked to sexual contact with an infected partner.

    The guidance recommended that men with a pregnant sex partner who have resided in or travelled to areas with the Zika virus should use condoms or abstain from sex for the entire duration of the pregnancy.

    It, however, said although sexual transmission of Zika virus infection was possible, but mosquito bites remain the primary way that Zika virus is transmitted.

    The CDC warned that currently there is no vaccine or treatment for Zika virus, the best way to avoid Zika virus infection is to prevent mosquito bites.

  • South Africa confirms first case of Zika virus

    South Africa on Saturday confirmed its first case of the mosquito-borne Zika virus.

    The victim is a Colombian who is on a visit to Johannesburg.

    The virus, which is causing international alarm after spreading through much of the Americas, was detected in a man on his visit to Johannesburg, Reuters quoted the Health Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, as saying on the issue.

    “The businessman presented with fever and a rash approximately four days after arrival in South Africa but is now fully recovered,” he said.

    The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a global public health emergency on February 1, noting its association with two neurological disorders – microcephaly in babies and Guillain-Barre syndrome that can cause paralysis.

  • Zika virus: Med lab scientists urge screening of pregnant women

    Zika virus: Med lab scientists urge screening of pregnant women

    The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) has urged the government to as a matter of urgency institute a system for screening of Zika virus especially amongst pregnant women in Nigeria in the light of the information from WHO that Zika is rapidly spreading to other countries of the world

    In a 13-point communiqué issued at the end of the 193rd National Executive Council meeting/Annual Public Health Lecture of the association in Calabar, they also appreciated the steps taken so far by the Federal and State Governments in managing the spread of Lassa fever through mass awareness and supply of ribavirin to most centres.

    In the communiqué signed by the National President, Alh Toyosi Raheem, National Secretary, Dr Surajudeen Junaid and National Public Relations Officer, Adeyeye Tam Adetunji, they said recent commitments by government to establish Lassa diagnostic centres in 14 states of federation is a welcome development and hoped that it will not “go the way of other white elephant projects we have had in the past.”

    They also called on the government to ensure that Bio-Safety Level 4 laboratories are established in each geopolitical zone of the country to check the disease.

    The medical laboratory scientists also called on government at all levels to constitute active surveillance team that will ensure holistic surveillance at all times to detect early warning signs of disease outbreaks to avoid health emergencies that may impact gravely on innocent Nigerians.

    The communiqué read in part, “NEC commends the health professionals in Nigeria for rising to the occasion any time duty calls in spite of challenges of updated skills, outdated equipment and below standard facilities of diagnosis and treatment. NEC however reminds health professionals to ensure the proper and regular use of Personal Protective Equipment and world best practices in the discharge of their duties as they need to first remain alive to keep others alive in the face of dreaded epidemics.

    “NEC identifies with the government and people of Nigeria over the current upsurge in Lassa fever epidemic barely a year after the outbreak of Ebola virus disease which ravaged many African countries. NEC subsequently condoles the families of those who had lost their loved ones to the disease and called on the public to adhere strictly to the preventive measures of personal and environmental hygiene.

    “NEC noted the threat of neglected diseases such as spongiform enceplaloplthis and haemorrhagic fevers. NEC advised that the challenge must not be undermined by government, medical practitioners and indeed all stakeholders in view of the recent rise in the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and haemorrhagic fevers in Nigeria and the world over.

    “NEC also acknowledged that the challenge of public health is one of which the government and stakeholders must brace up to in the face of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.

    “NEC noted with utter dismay the inadequate diagnostic laboratories in Nigeria, a country of over 170 million people yet coping with few ill equipped diagnostic centres for public health emergencies.

    “NEC appealed to all states in the federation to create a directorate of medical laboratory services in their respective ministries in health, and to appoint the most senior medical laboratory scientist as a substantive director in the ministries of health and health management boards, as done in Nursing, Pharmaceutical, Clinical and other services. This will ensure conformance to quality management systems in all medical laboratories and the implementation of ISO 15189 standard for all medical laboratories.”

    They also commended the Federal Government for the fight against corruption and encouraged President Muhamadu Buhari to ensure all looted funds are recovered and ploughed back into programmes that would benefit the masses.

     

  • Nigerians ’ve immunity against Zika virus, says minister

    Nigerians ’ve immunity against Zika virus, says minister

    Previous studies conducted by researchers demonstrated that some Nigerians were immuned to the Zika virus infection, Minister of Health Prof. Isaac Adewole said yesterday.

    Adewole, who spoke in Abuja on his ministry’s efforts to contain Lassa fever and ZIka virus, claimed that as far back as 1954, some Nigerian scientists working in Western part of the country discovered Zika virus.

    He said: “Further studies in the years 1975 to 1979 showed that 40 per cent of Nigerian adults and 25 per cent of Nigerian children have antibodies to Zika virus, meaning they are protected against this virus.

    “It is important however, to state categorically, that until now in Africa and Nigeria inclusive, this virus does not cause any serious illness and those so far infected individually recover fully with no serious complications.”

    The minister noted that although two African countries, Cape Verde and Gabon, had reported transmission in between 2015 and 2016, causal relationship between Zika virus infection, birth defects and neurological syndromes has not been established in the continent.

    Adewole warned that despite the fact that some Nigerians are immune to the infection as demonstrated by previous studies, it was important and advisable that Nigerians should be careful and protect themselves from mosquito bites.

    The minister said that he would not advise against Nigerian contingent attending the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Brazil over the Zika outbreak in South America.

    But Adewole said he would stop pregnant women from going to Brazil as the minister of health.

    He advised that suspected case should be referred to hospitals or this line: 097000010-19

    He said: “There is as of now, no known specific treatment for Zika virus disease. Treatment is therefore generally supportive and it includes rest, fluids, and use of pain killers and antipyretics. In a pregnant woman with laboratory evidence of Zika virus in serum or amniotic fluid, serial ultrasounds should be considered to monitor fetal anatomy and growth every three to four weeks. Referral to a maternal-fetal medicine or infectious disease specialist with expertise in pregnancy management is recommended.”

    He added: “There is no vaccine for Zika virus, and no cure other than rest, plenty of fluids and perhaps over-the-counter medication to reduce fevers, aches and pains as previously mentioned. This therefore means that prevention is most effective means of preventing transmission.

    “I advise all Nigerians, particularly pregnant women, to avoid travelling to countries infected by this virus in these periods. If, however, you are to visit any country where Zika virus is now being actively transmitted, you are advised to protect yourselves from mosquito bites.

    “Pregnant women considering travel to affected areas may wish to consult their health-care providers prior to travel and after return. They should also practice personal and household steps to prevent mosquito, including putting mosquito repellant on their clothes and skin, wear long sleeves and pants, and sleep underneath mosquito nets at night, where possible.

    I wish to call on all Nigerians to support our pregnant women and help them access anti-mosquito repellants.”

    The minister called on states to embark on health education campaigns to empower communities take actions to protect themselves from Zika Virus as well as other mosquito-borne diseases.

    The minister assured Nigerians that Lassa fever has been contained in the country, as evidenced by decline in new suspected cases; new laboratory confirmed cases and newly reported cases.

  • Zika: I won’t stop Rio Olympics contingents – Minister

    Zika: I won’t stop Rio Olympics contingents – Minister

    Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has said he will not advice against Nigeria participation at 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, over the Zika outbreak in South America.

    But Adewole said he would stop pregnant women from going to Brazil as the minister of health.

    Already, two African countries – Cape Verde and Gabon had reported transmission of Zika between 2015 and 2016.

    He, however, warned that the mosquitoes carrying the virus exits in Nigeria, stressing that Nigerians should be careful and protect themselves from the virus.

    The minister also urged Nigerians to remain calm and remain vigilant and report any suspected case of an acute febrile illness in pregnant women in particular, to nearest health facility.

    Adewole, who spoke while updating journalists on Lassa fever outbreak in the country, noted that the mosquitoes are active and flying, adding that they bite during the day and early morning.

    He, however, said Nigerians have anti-bodies that protect people from Zika virus.

    He said: “Nigerian scientists working in Western Nigeria in 1954 discovered Zika virus in Nigeria. Further studies in the years 1975 to 1979 showed that 40 per cent of Nigeria adults and 25 per cent of Nigerian children have antibodies to Zika virus, meaning they are protected against this virus.

    “Despite the fact that some Nigerians are immune to Zika virus infection as demonstrated by previous studies, it is important and advisable that Nigerians should be careful and protect themselves from mosquito bites.”