The Zika virus is believed to be linked to a surge in Brazil of babies being born with the brain defect microcephaly. In Brazil, over 4,300 suspected and confirmed cases of the birth defect have been investigated to determine whether they are linked to the mosquito-borne virus.
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While “no scientific evidence to date confirms a link between Zika virus and microcephaly or GBS”, the agency pointed out that GBS was also observed during the 2013-14 Zika virus outbreak in French Polynesia.
Ever since Zika’s detection in Brazil in May 2015, the virus has spread to nearly 25 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff said the Zika virus has gone from a “distant nightmare” to a “real threat” for her people.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and scientists around the world are racing to prove a link between Zika and rises in microcephaly and GBS.
The UN organization said in its weekly report that the presence of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), which sometimes causes temporary paralysis had been observed in Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Surinam and Venezuela.
WHO’s actions regarding Zika is needed as the virus is causing concern among health officials worldwide.
The Philippines, sole reported case of Zika was in 2012 and involved a teenage boy in Cebu island in central Philippines.
Participating in the health-related activities were 220,000 military servicemembers and 272,000 public health personnel, of whom some 46,000 are specially trained to fight epidemics, the ministry said. Prior to Ohio’s new cases, the CDC had reported 52 travel-associated cases of Zika virus in 16 states and the District of Columbia, an increase from 35 cases in 12 states since Tuesday.
If a commercially viable test became available, researchers would be better able to track the spread of the virus.
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She also says Rio will be prioritized in the operation as it is this year’s Olympic host city. Local media reported what they said was the first abortion in the country because of Zika last week. Health officials encourage travelers especially pregnant women to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
