Zika virus outbreak IS a 'global public health emergency'
 

Outbreak of the Zika virus is a global public health emergency, the World Health Organisation warned today

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The alert puts the mosquito-borne disease in the same category as Ebola, which killed 11,000 people in West Africa
Experts predict there could be four million cases of the virus, which has spread to 23 countries, this year

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WHO director general Dr Margaret Chan called it an 'extraordinary event' and called for an international response
There is no cure or vaccination for the virus, which is linked to babies being born with abnormally small heads

:worry:

BYE @ no cure or vaccination

I'd rather stay at home

Risks the Rio olympics.

Oh sh8t son. End of times for realz. Isis, earthquakes, global outbreaks, trump...repent with me y'all :bawling:

:(

Agreed ITILYT, Nostradamus had a point :/ Poor kids.

:(

I just watched the news about this. Its a tragic thing for all these infected pregnant women.

The question is, will the mosquito be the thing the eventually kills off the human race?

This might sound selfish to ask, but has this disease spread to any European countries?

Feel it's important to point out that this virus is nothing at all like ebola; the symptoms are usually mild and complications in healthy individuals under normal circumstances are very uncommon. It's not even as severe as the average flu. I have no idea why they're comparing it to the ebola outbreak other than as pointless scaremongering :shrug:.

It does potentially have very serious implications for pregnant women / their unborn babies, though.

No and I believe its not infectious. Its a parasite that lives inside a mosquito in that particular region.

oops

Key facts

Zika virus disease is caused by a virus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes.
People with Zika virus disease usually have a mild fever, skin rash (exanthema) and conjunctivitis. These symptoms normally last for 2-7 days.
There is no specific treatment or vaccine currently available.
The best form of prevention is protection against mosquito bites.
The virus is known to circulate in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific.
Introduction

Zika virus is an emerging mosquito-borne virus that was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in rhesus monkeys through a monitoring network of sylvatic yellow fever. It was subsequently identified in humans in 1952 in Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. Outbreaks of Zika virus disease have been recorded in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific.

Genre: Flavivirus
Vector: Aedes mosquitoes (which usually bite during the morning and late afternoon/evening hours)
Reservoir: Unknown

Signs and Symptoms

The incubation period (the time from exposure to symptoms) of Zika virus disease is not clear, but is likely to be a few days. The symptoms are similar to other arbovirus infections such as dengue, and include fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, and headache. These symptoms are usually mild and last for 2-7 days.

During large outbreaks in French Polynesia and Brazil in 2013 and 2015 respectively, national health authorities reported potential neurological and auto-immune complications of Zika virus disease. Recently in Brazil, local health authorities have observed an increase in Zika virus infections in the general public as well as an increase in babies born with microcephaly in northeast Brazil. Agencies investigating the Zika outbreaks are finding an increasing body of evidence about the link between Zika virus and microcephaly. However, more investigation is needed before we understand the relationship between microcephaly in babies and the Zika virus. Other potential causes are also being investigated.

Transmission

Zika virus is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito from the Aedes genus, mainly Aedes aegypti in tropical regions. This is the same mosquito that transmits dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever.

Zika virus disease outbreaks were reported for the first time from the Pacific in 2007 and 2013 (Yap and French Polynesia, respectively), and in 2015 from the Americas (Brazil and Colombia) and Africa (Cape Verde). In addition, more than 13 countries in the Americas have reported sporadic Zika virus infections indicating rapid geographic expansion of Zika virus.

Diagnosis

Zika virus is diagnosed through PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and virus isolation from blood samples. Diagnosis by serology can be difficult as the virus can cross-react with other flaviviruses such as dengue, West Nile and yellow fever.

Prevention

Mosquitoes and their breeding sites pose a significant risk factor for Zika virus infection. Prevention and control relies on reducing mosquitoes through source reduction (removal and modification of breeding sites) and reducing contact between mosquitoes and people.

This can be done by using insect repellent; wearing clothes (preferably light-coloured) that cover as much of the body as possible; using physical barriers such as screens, closed doors and windows; and sleeping under mosquito nets. It is also important to empty, clean or cover containers that can hold water such as buckets, flower pots or tyres, so that places where mosquitoes can breed are removed.

Special attention and help should be given to those who may not be able to protect themselves adequately, such as young children, the sick or elderly.

During outbreaks, health authorities may advise that spraying of insecticides be carried out. Insecticides recommended by the WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme may also be used as larvicides to treat relatively large water containers.

Travellers should take the basic precautions described above to protect themselves from mosquito bites.

Treatment

Zika virus disease is usually relatively mild and requires no specific treatment. People sick with Zika virus should get plenty of rest, drink enough fluids, and treat pain and fever with common medicines. If symptoms worsen, they should seek medical care and advice. There is currently no vaccine available.

WHO response

WHO is supporting countries to control Zika virus disease through:

Define and prioritize research into Zika virus disease by convening experts and partners.
Enhance surveillance of Zika virus and potential complications.
Strengthen capacity in risk communication to help countries meet their commitments under the International Health Regulations.
Provide training on clinical management, diagnosis and vector control including through a number of WHO Collaborating Centres.
Strengthen the capacity of laboratories to detect the virus.
Support health authorities to implement vector control strategies aimed at reducing Aedes mosquito populations such as providing larvicide to treat standing water sites that cannot be treated in other ways, such as cleaning, emptying, and covering them.
Prepare recommendations for clinical care and follow-up of people with Zika virus, in collaboration with experts and other health agencies.

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/zika/en/

..I agree TS to the extent that this virus is nothing like ebola and life threatening now...(although it could still prove to be for extremely vulnerable..)...but because of the serious implications for pregnant females, still a global health emergency as we won't know the full extent of it until those children are born...and especially as many countries may not be able to provide any healthcare needed...

I'd do anything for a smaller head, you could write most of the Bible on my forehead, I can't wear hats and I'm not able to play cricket because the helmet doesn't fit over my large head. Give me Zika!

Yes South America
out of bounds now.

Sadly that mother on every news
with her son who has a smaller head,
has shocked the World.

No for that baby
its terrible pain,
forever

"Sexually Transmitted Zika Virus Case In USA"

http://news.sky.com/story/1634799/se...rus-case-in-us

Don't be so f.....g insensitive. Making 'jokes' about deformed babies is the lowest of the low.

so Zika sounds like it's basically just a flu? it doesn't sound very life threatening, the symptoms last a week and then you're fine?

as a gay man i obviously don't have to worry about the birth defects stuff.

Agree

As long as you are alright :umm2:

Just heard this on the news, let's hope they find a malaria type innoculation against this soon

well hopefully there is a test for pregnant women to find if they have a baby affected, so they can abort it.

Is there a way for us to just abort all of the babies affected? that would solve the problem.

Unfortunately the countries in south America are very Catholic so they don't believe in abortion, so we need to blame the catholic church for this. If they just aborted the mutant babies there would be no problem.