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Dr. Tom Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Thursday that "there is nothing about Zika control that is quick or easy. The only only thing quick is the mosquito bite that can give it to you." Since the World Health Organization declared the Zika virus a public health emergency, scientists have linked it to paralysis and brain infections in adults, but the virus has saved its most horrifying outcome for developing fetuses. A study at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore showed that Zika infects and kills the very cells that form the developing brain.
Pediatrician Alexia Harrist from the United States' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) takes a picture of 3-month-old Shayde Henrique who was born with microcephaly, after examining him in Joao Pessoa, Brazil
Another study, this one at the University of California-Los Angeles in conjunction with researchers at the Fiocruz Institute in Brazil, "found a strong link between Zika and adverse pregnancy outcomes, which haven’t been documented before,” according to Dr. Karin Nielsen, the senior author of the study at the UCLA School of Medicine. Nielsen was quoted in a university press release as saying, “We saw problems with the fetus or the pregnancy at eight weeks, 22 weeks, 25 weeks, and we saw problems at 35 weeks. Even if the fetus isn’t affected, the virus appears to damage the placenta, which can lead to fetal death."
High attack rate
This study showed abnormalities in 29 percent of the fetuses of women who tested positive for the Zika virus and who had ultrasound examinations. Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, told VOA this high attack rate is very concerning. "We're almost certain that there are going to be lesser degrees or more subtle abnormalities that may not be picked up on Doppler ultrasound, so I think that the actual incidence of deleterious effects on the fetus is going to be considerably higher than just 29 percent," Fauci said. "These abnormalities could affect even babies who at first appear normal, including problems with vision, hearing, heart function and a host of other things not related to microcephaly," he said.
A pregnant woman holds a mosquito net in Cali, Colombia, Feb. 10, 2016. The Colombian Health Ministry began delivering mosquito nets for free to pregnant women to prevent the infection by Zika virus, vectored by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
Fauci's advice offers little hope, especially for poor women in Latin America and the Caribbean. "Don't get infected," he said, "Get a vaccine to prevent infection. That’s the best way to do it." Of course, right now, there is no vaccine. And even though work is progressing rapidly, it will be two to three years before one might be available. "Then you do vector control, mosquito control to prevent people from getting infected," Fauci said.
No funds from Congress
Dr. Tom Frieden, chief of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told reporters he was making Puerto Rico his top priority in the fight against the virus. "Nothing about Zika is going to be quick, and nothing about Zika is going to be easy," Frieden said. "We can't eliminate Zika at this point, but we can protect people and greatly reduce the impact." The mosquito-borne virus is especially dangerous for pregnant women.
Dr. Tom Frieden of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says he's making Puerto Rico his top priority in the fight against the Zika virus.
Frieden, who visited the Caribbean island this week, said that just two weeks ago, Puerto Ricans appeared unconcerned about Zika. That's not true now, he said. "Every pregnant woman we talked with is taking this very seriously," he said. "They all have heard of Zika. They are all very worried about Zika. They want help and support to protect themselves against Zika." Friden said he was especially concerned about the large number of women in Puerto Rico who said they did not want to get pregnant but did not use birth control. He said these women clearly should be using contraception.
Most Zika cases are mild, and many victims never show any symptoms. But the virus is suspected of causing pregnant women to give birth to babies affected by microcephaly, a defect that leaves them with unusually small heads and brains. Brazil, which has been hit hardest by Zika, has reported more than 4,000 cases of microcephaly since October. Health experts are strongly advising women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant to avoid traveling to countries affected by Zika, including much of Latin America.
CDC Chief: Puerto Rico Facing 'Hundreds of Thousands' of Zika Cases
Whoa 6???!!!!Zika outbreak: ‘The more we learn, the worse things seem to get’
"Another six U.S. cases involve sexual transmission". With Spring and Summer coming soon I wonder how bad it's going to get.
Researchers have determined the structure of the Zika virus. The “near-atomic level map” shows Zika to be similar to the dengue virus, and other flaviviruses. The one key difference lies in a “key surface protein,” according to research funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The discovery could lead to a better understanding of how the virus works in the human body, which in turn, could lead to better drugs and vaccines.
Researchers said that the variation in the E glycoprotein of the Zika virus could explain the “ability of the virus to attack nerve cells, as well as the associations of Zika virus infection with birth defects and the autoimmune-neurological Guillian-Barré syndrome.”
A representation of the surface of the Zika virus is shown. A team led by Purdue University researchers is the first to determine the structure of the Zika virus, which reveals insights critical to the development of effective antiviral treatments and vaccines.
Created by researchers at Purdue University, the map was done by freezing particles of the virus and shooting high-energy electrons to create “tens of thousands of two-dimensional electron micrograph images that are then combined to yield a composite high-resolution, three-dimensional view of the virus.”
Scientists have known about Zika since it was discovered in Uganda in 1947, but only recently have realized its potential danger. Starting in October, the mosquito-borne virus began to spread, particularly in Brazil, where it has been potentially linked to a birth defect called microcephaly, in which fetal brains are abnormally small.
Zika Virus Structure Mapped
According to Santos, the boy’s fussing was so intense it led to her husband abandoning the family. The child is receiving traditional care at a hospital in Recife in northeastern Brazil, the epicenter of the Zika epidemic and the capital of the state seeing most of the birth defects associated with the mosquito-borne virus. Zika, which has spread rapidly through the Americas, has not been proven to cause microcephaly in babies, but there is growing evidence that suggests a link. The condition is defined by unusually small heads that can result in developmental problems.
Therapist Rozely Fontoura (L) teaches Daniele Santos Shantala massage on her baby Juan Pedro, who has microcephaly, in Recife, Brazil
Modern medicine has not been enough for Santos and many other mothers. That is where a type of parental group therapy called "Room to be a Mother" came in to bring relief to Santos and others. The group's instructors this month held two free workshops in Recife for the mostly impoverished mothers of babies born with birth defects related to the Zika virus, teaching natural techniques to soothe the children.
Those include a traditional Indian shantala massage for babies, using a simple sling that keeps babies tightly held to their mother's chest for comfort throughout the day, and the use of a specially shaped bucket for warm baths meant to mimic the womb. Santos now uses the massage, sling and bucket soaks each day. "His crying after the massages and baths became less shrill," Santos said, noting that Juan Pedro is "much calmer."
Daniele Santos carries her baby, Juan Pedro, who has microcephaly, in a sling while washing dishes in her home
Therapist Rozely Fontoura, who follows up with the mothers after they take the therapy classes, said the shantala massage is particularly helpful, as it works by producing endorphins and by reducing the stress hormone cortisol. "Babies with microcephaly are generally very irritable, they are very sensitive to stimulants, they become very irritated and are difficult to calm down," she said. "So the production of [endorphins] and the reduction of cortisol helps a lot." Brazil has said it has confirmed more than 900 cases of microcephaly, and considers most of them to be related to Zika infections in the mothers. Brazil is investigating nearly 4,300 additional suspected cases of microcephaly.
Alternative Therapy Soothes Brazil Babies Suffering Defects Linked to Zika
"Zika is already in the U.S. and territories,” said Tom Frieden, director of the CDC. “It's already infected hundreds of Americans who've traveled to Zika-affected places. It's already spreading widely in Puerto Rico and elsewhere in the U.S. territories. We expect it to continue to spread."
Frieden said the most urgent issue is to reduce the risk to pregnant women and their developing fetuses. The Zika virus has been associated with severe birth defects in newborns.
This photo from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a female Aedes aegypti mosquito.
Local, state and federal government officials, health experts, pharmaceutical companies and others are gathering Friday at the CDC headquarters in Atlanta to prepare for the likelihood of mosquito-borne transmission of the Zika virus in some parts of the United States.
The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa already are experiencing active Zika transmission. The mosquito that carries the virus is abundant in the southern coastal states.
Health Agency Convenes Summit to Prepare US for Zika Virus
The new disorder, called acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, or ADEM, is identified in an abstract authored by Brazilian scientist Maria Lucia Brito Ferreira. She is set to present her findings at an international meeting of neurological scientists meeting April 15-21 in Vancouver, British Columbia. ADEM is described as a short-term, intense immune attack on the central nervous system, targeting the brain and spinal cords in patients who have recovered from a range of viral or bacterial infections. Brazilian news site G1 reported that Ferreira, a neurologist at Restoration Hospital in Recife, Brazil, based her findings on the study of 151 patients who visited the hospital between December 2014 and June 2015.
A health agent scoops water from a boat docked at the Jurujuba beach during an operation to eradicate the Aedes aegypti mosquito, in Niteroi, Brazil, March 8, 2016. Scientists in Brazil found a brain disorder linked to the Zika virus.
Ferreira observed the patients who had been infected with arboviruses, which include Zika, dengue and chikungunya. Out of these patients, six were diagnosed with Zika. Five patients reported motor dysfunction, vision problems, and one had cognitive decline. Zika has already been linked with the autoimmune disorder Guillain-Barre that causes swelling in the brain and spinal cord that damages the myelin, a white protective coating that surrounds never fibers resulting in loss of balance and vision, numbness, and weakness. “Encephalomyelitis, is a serious condition, regardless of etiology. It is more serious than the Guillain-Barré,” Ferreira told G1.
Zika is also linked to microcephaly, which causes a spectrum of birth defects, miscarriages and deaths in infants, as well as paralysis in adults. In January, the World Health Organization called the virus an international public health emergency because of its link to microcephaly. Brazilian officials confirmed more than 940 Zika cases in mothers. The country is investigating another 4,300 suspected cases of microcephaly. President Barack Obama asked Congress in early February for $1.9 billion in emergency funding to fight the Zika virus. Reuters reported that at least 13 countries have reported cases of Guillain-Barré linked with outbreaks of Zika. WHO believes Zika is likely the cause. Scientists have known about Zika since it was discovered in Uganda in 1947.
Study Links Zika to 2nd Brain Disorder
Additionally, four cases of microcephaly, the rare, but irreversible condition in which babies are born with small heads and damaged brains, have been associated with the virus in the country, Colombia’s National Health Institute reported.
MICROCEPHALY RARE
Another 22 cases of potential microcephaly are under investigation, according to the institute, which estimated that about 300 instances of cranial malformation are likely in babies by September, a smaller number than initially predicted. Earlier this month, US health authorities confirmed that Zika causes microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects, after months of debate and uncertainty. Since the beginning of the epidemic in October last year, a total of 3,292 cases have been confirmed in Colombia by laboratories and 68,660 suspected cases have been documented. In pregnant women, a total of 1,703 cases have been confirmed, while another 11,099 cases have been noted by health officials.
‘PRECIPITOUS’ DROP
While Colombia had originally estimated the number of Zika cases could triple through the end of June, the government said that the epidemic was “dropping precipitously” for the time, and faster than predicted. From April 10 to 16, a total of 3,322 suspected Zika cases were reported, but none were confirmed by a laboratory, according to the latest bulletin from the institute. Mosquito-borne Zika is present in 130 countries and recent studies have shown it can also be transmitted sexually between human carriers.
Since the beginning of the epidemic in October, a total of 462 cases of neurological disorders have arisen in Colombia with possible ties to Zika. Of these, 304 are cases of Guillain-Barre, a rare condition suspected of being linked to Zika, in which the body’s immune system attacks a part of the nervous system that controls muscle strength. There are currently no vaccines or treatments for Zika. According to the WHO, at least a dozen laboratories and government agencies around the world are working on a vaccine, but bringing it to market could take years.
Cases of Zika virus in Colombia total almost 72,000 - Taipei Times
Karl Malamud-Roam, Public Health Pesticides Program Manager at Rutgers University, said at the “Mosquito Control to Minimize Zika Virus Risk” event that the tools in place to confront the Aedes breed of Zika-carrying mosquitoes were “okay, we will do a good job with the tools we have, they’re good tools.” But, he added, “They’re not good enough to do wide area, consistent low-cost patrol of the Aedes.” “There are some challenges, these are hard mosquitoes to kill, chemical resistance is a big problem if any one class of pesticides is used too often,” he explained, adding that there “are regulatory challenges.” “I think it’s important that you know the toolbox is safe, we know it’s safe, and that the customers know it’s safe, he said. “But if the expense of proving safety becomes so high that products get thrown out, that’s throwing out the baby with the bath water and we have lost products.” “I’m very concerned that we may lose products without federal help supporting the vector control toolbox,” said Roam.
Vector control is a method to limit or eradicate organisms, in this case mosquitoes, called “vectors,” which transmit disease pathogens like Zika. Roam asked Congress to “encourage EPA to retain vector control products as part of the public good. We see vector control products a lot like the pharmaceutical industry sees vaccines. It’s in the public interest that we have a vaccine supply, and companies 12 years ago were going out of business because there’s a liability and small market share, and federal action was taken to support the private sector.” “We’re getting to a similar point with vector control,” he said.
Roam asked for “encouragement of an expedited review process for products that could help combat the Aedes aegypti.” “Senator [Al] Franken (D-Minn.) has a bill right now that would give expedited review for pharmaceuticals useful against Zika,” said Roam. “I think something similar could be very helpful to give an expedited review pathway for Aedes-control tools going through EPA.” “We don’t want to waste our funds because they’re limited, yet we have been required by the regulation to be wasteful of those funds,” said Steve Mulligan, manager of the Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District in California's Central Valley and AMCA member.
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The WHO said it was concerned that the latest strain was spreading and was "on the doorstep of Africa". It is currently circulating in Cape Verde, an archipelago off the north west coast of Africa. Zika has been linked to neurological disorders including babies being born with small brains. Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said: "This information will help African countries to re-evaluate their level of risk and adapt and increase their levels of preparedness."
Protection
She said African countries should raise awareness among pregnant women of the complications with the Zika virus and encourage people to protect themselves against mosquito bites and sexual transmission. But she said she would not recommend strict travel restrictions to try to stop the spread of the disease. There have been more than 7,000 suspected cases of Zika in Cape Verde, with 180 pregnant women thought to have been infected. The WHO says three babies have been born brain damaged with microcephaly.
Until the virus was sequenced by scientists in Senegal, it was not certain if the outbreak in Cape Verde was caused by the African or Asian type, which has hit Brazil and other Latin American countries. Tests show that this is the Asian strain - the same as the one blamed for birth abnormalities in Brazil. There have been around 1,300 confirmed cases of microcephaly - babies born with small brains - in Brazil, with thousands more under investigation.
A UK researcher said the Zika virus has been circulating at a low level in African countries for more than 50 years, so some of the population may already be immune. "It is likely that the South American, Caribbean and Polynesian populations had no prior immunity to the virus, so a high proportion of people who are bitten by infected mosquitos caught the disease," said Dr Anna Checkley, of the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospitals.
Zika virus strain 'imported from the Americas' to Africa - BBC News
The unidentified Salt Lake County resident contracted the virus while traveling abroad to an area with a Zika outbreak, health officials said. The patient who died in late June was elderly and also suffered from another health condition, according to the Salt Lake County Health Department. The person had Zika symptoms — including rash, fever and conjunctivitis — but it's unclear if or how the virus contributed to the death, said Centers for Disease Control and Prevention spokesman Benjamin Haynes.
Officials discovered the case while reviewing death certificates, and lab tests confirmed their suspicions, said Gary Edwards, executive director of the Salt Lake County Health Department. Utah authorities refused to release additional information about the patient or where he or she traveled, citing health privacy laws. The virus causes only a mild illness in most people. But during recent outbreaks in Latin America, scientists discovered that infection during pregnancy has led to severe brain-related birth defects. It's spread mainly through the bite of a tropical mosquito.
No cases of locally transmitted, mosquito-borne Zika have been reported in the continental United States, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But a 70-year-old man from the San Juan metro area in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico died in late February. Officials said he recovered from initial Zika symptoms, but then developed a condition in which antibodies that formed in reaction to the Zika infection started attacking blood platelet cells. He died after suffering internal bleeding.
More than 1,100 Zika illnesses have been reported in the 50 states and the District of Columbia, including six in Salt Lake County, according to health officials. Almost all were people who had traveled to Zika outbreak countries and caught the virus there. But 14 were people who had not traveled to Zika zones but had sex with someone who had. The CDC has also been tracking pregnant women infected with Zika, and says they have five reports of pregnancy losses because of miscarriage, stillbirth or abortion.
1st death related to Zika virus seen in continental US
