The British Olympic Association says it will continue to carefully monitor the Zika virus in Brazil amid World Health Organisation warnings that the current outbreak could soon be declared an worldwide emergency.
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But condoms should be used for six months “following recovery if a clinical illness compatible with Zika virus infection or laboratory confirmed Zika virus infection” has been reported.
For some it’s a dilemma pitting religious beliefs about abortion against the risk that their babies could be born with abnormally small heads and a short life expectancy.
In the meantime, tropical Southeast Asian countries said on Friday they were bracing for the mosquito-borne Zika virus, with Malaysia saying it could “spread quickly” if introduced, but Thailand appeared to be bucking the trend with just a handful of cases a year.
During the first week of infection, Zika virus can be passed from an infected person to an uninfected mosquito through mosquito bites, according to the CDC.
Dr. Bruce Aylward, who runs WHO’s outbreak response department, said any country that has the Aedes mosquito should be concerned about the possibility of the Zika virus arriving.
Venezuelan Health Minister Luisana Melo said Friday that her country has recorded 255 cases of Guillain-Barre, apparently as part of its effort to fight Zika, though she did not specify the link or the time frame. The federal government also will fund increased production of bug repellent, distributing it to lower-income women who are at risk of contracting the virus that’s suspected of causing birth defects.
“There’s a concern”, she said.
The CDC has received “a lot of requests for assistance in many other countries” beyond Brazil, said Treadwell, one of two deputies reporting to Peterson.
The virus is spread through mosquitoes, and while it is not spreading locally in the USA, it is coming in through travelers.
Thousands of soldiers, health officials and first responders have been fanning out across the Dominican Republic to fumigate and clean up mosquito-prone areas and educate people about the Zika virus.
The virus is primarily passed through mosquito bites and has been linked to birth defects and neurological problems.
Venezuela authorities have broken their silence on the outbreak of Zika in the South American country, and they’re pledging to mount a public health campaign to slow the virus’ spread.
“While in development, it’s important to understand we won’t have a vaccine this year or even in the next few years, although we may be able to have a clinical trial start this calendar year”, he said.
The advisory has asked travelers (particularly pregnant women) traveling to the affected countries to take “enhanced precautions”.
“Cities are not fulfilling their duty to hire qualified people (for mosquito eradication)”.
Chan promised a quick action from the World Health Organization, stressing that this has become urgent because there is no vaccine or treatment for Zika, which is like dengue and causes mild fever, rash and red eyes.
On Wednesday, a hospital in Denmark said a tourist who had traveled to South and Central America has tested positive for the incurable disease.
It is transmitted by a species of daytime mosquito called Aedes aegypti.
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The Zika virus is not transmitted through human contact but by the same Aedes mosquitoes that have spread dengue, yellow fever and West Nile virus.
