World Health Organization says 18 countries in Europe have a moderate likelihood of Zika and there’s a high risk limited to areas around the island of Madeira and the north-eastern coast of the Black Sea.
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“There is a risk of spread of Zika virus disease in the European region and that this risk varies from country to country”. We have excellent disease prevention, surveillance and control measures in place which mean that we are very well protected against Zika in the United Kingdom, and we have given advice to people on how to protect themselves overseas.
It has also been linked to a rare disorder of the nervous system, Guillain-Barre syndrome, which causes temporary paralysis.
It still has to pass the U.S. House of Representatives.
Eighteen European countries have a “moderate” risk of an outbreak, including the popular holiday destinations France, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Greece, Turkey and Switzerland.
The organisation said: “In spring and summer, however, the risk of Zika virus disease transmission in Europe will increase, as mosquitoes find better breeding grounds in warmer weather”.
In the first risk assessment of Zika transmission in Europe, published Wednesday, WHO investigated the risk of an outbreak in the region’s 53 member states and identified the highest likelihood of transmission to be on the island of Madeira and the north-eastern coast of the Black Sea.
The two lawmakers, who don’t agree on much, are teaming up to push the White House and the House to pour more funding into efforts to combat Zika. “Never before have we seen a mosquito-borne infection that could result in a serious birth defect”, he said.
“Our support to countries in the region to prepare for and respond to health risks such as Zika is a key aspect of the reform of WHO’s work in emergencies”. “We limit travel to Mexico, South America and to the Caribbean and of course that’s become a problem because the Olympics are coming and some of our patients were wanting to travel to Brazil for the Olympics”, said Dr. Rob Cowan, an Austin-area OBGYN.
The WHO’s European risk analysis took in multiple factors, among them the presence of Zika-transmitting mosquitoes, suitable climates for the mosquito, previous history of transmission of dengue or chikungunya, ship and flight connections, and population density and urbanization. The WHO’s Geneva headquarters in February declared the Zika outbreak a public health emergency of worldwide concern (PHEIC), warning it was spreading “explosively” in the Americas.
“If travel is unavoidable, or they live in areas where active Zika virus transmission is reported, they should take scrupulous insect bite avoidance measures both during daytime and night-time hours and also seek advice from their GP, midwife or obstetrician”. “However it’s highly likely that local transmission will occur in Texas and we must do all that we can for that eventuality and minimize the impacts, particularly on pregnant women”.
There have been 100 cases reported in Florida, which is more than any other state in the country, and scientists worry the number of Zika cases around the USA could spike this summer.
Symptoms are usually mild and do not last more than a week.
Women are urged to avoid pregnancy before travel to Zika areas and take special precautions if travel can not be delayed.
Scientists say there is strong evidence between Zika infection and birth defects, including microcephaly, which means the baby will have an abnormally small head.
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“It’s just not enough”, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Tom Frieden said of the House measure.
