GENEVA, March 8 The World Health Organization (WHO) called on Tuesday for urgent research into different strains of the Zika virus and said that health services in affected areas should be ready for potential increases in the incidence of neurological syndromes and/or congenital malformations.
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Currently, there are no reported cases of local mosquito-borne Zika virus cases in USA states, but there are there are numerous travel-associated cases.
“We can expect more cases and further geographical spread”, Chan said.
Although Zika only stays in the blood for a week, scientists say it can remain in semen for much longer, although doctors today don’t know exactly how long.
Nine countries are now reporting an increased incidence of Guillain-Barre syndrome or laboratory confirmation of a Zika virus infection among Guillain-Barre cases.
The Aedes aegypti mosquito which spreads the virus among humans is found in 130 countries.
Zika is most commonly spread by mosquitoes but several countries have reported cases of sexual transmission.
“Clearly, Zika virus infection in pregnancy can produce very bad outcomes”, said Margaret Chan, the WHO’s director-general, who spoke after a meeting of the group’s emergency committee on Zika.
Microcephaly also has been detected in French Polynesia, with unconfirmed reports in Colombia.
Chan said the World Health Organization can now conclude that the virus is neurotropic, meaning it attacks the nervous system, “preferentially affecting tissues in the brain and brain stem of the developing fetus”.
“Pregnant women and those considering becoming pregnant should discuss their travel plans with their health care provider to assess their risk and consider postponing travel to areas where the Zika virus is circulating”, states Dr. Gregory Taylor, Canada’s chief public health officer, in a news release.
Therefore the Emergency Committee recommended that pregnant women should be advised not travel to areas of ongoing Zika virus outbreaks, pregnant women whose sexual partners live in or travel to areas with Zika virus outbreaks should ensure safe sexual practices or abstain from sex for the duration of their pregnancy.
At this time, there is no evidence that women can transmit Zika virus to their sex partners. “And the modes of transmission now include sexual intercourse as well as mosquito bites”, Chan said.
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The best way to prevent diseases spread by mosquitoes is to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites and to eliminate sources of standing water.
