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Zika Virus – May 13, 2016. Texas has had 34 confirmed cases of Zika virus disease. Of those, 33 were in travelers who were infected abroad and diagnosed after they returned home; one of those travelers was a pregnant woman. One case involved a Dallas County resident who had sexual contact with someone who acquired the Zika infection while traveling abroad. Case counts by county: Bexar – 3Collin – 1Dallas – 6Denton – 2Fort Bend – 2Grayson – 1Harris – 12Tarrant – 3Travis – 2Val Verde – 1 Wise – 1

Singapore reports first imported Zika case48-year-old man is Singapore's first imported case of Zika virus; will be transferred to the Communicable Diseases Centre for treatment and isolation to minimise spread of infection.Posted 13 May 2016 20:14 Updated 13 May 2016 22:15PHOTOSAedes mosquito (Photo: AFP/Lluis Robayo)ENLARGECAPTION 0 Email More A A SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Health (MOH) and National Environment Agency (NEA) reported Singapore's first imported case of Zika on Friday (May 13). In a joint statement, MOH and NEA said: "The patient is a 48-year-old male Singapore Permanent Resident who had travelled to Sao Paulo, Brazil from Mar 27 to May 7. The patient developed fever and rash from May 10 and was admitted to Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital on May 12 and isolated. "The patient tested positive for Zika virus infection on May 13. He will be transferred to the Communicable Diseases Centre at Tan Tock Seng Hospital for treatment and isolation to minimise the chances of being bitten by mosquitoes and spreading the infection in the community. The patient is currently well and recovering. He will only be discharged upon being tested negative for the Zika virus." The statement added that MOH is screening the patient's household members, and that the patient's residence at Watten Estate is not an active cluster. It said that NEA has intensified vector control operations to control the Aedes mosquito population in the area, and that MOH and NEA would actively alert residents in the vicinity to seek medical attention should they develop symptoms of fever and rash. MOH and NEA nevertheless stated: "We advise residents of Watten Estate, Casa Perla, Hillcrest Arcadia, The Arcadia and Watten Hill Condominium to monitor their health." Residents Channel NewsAsia spoke with said they were "quite alarmed to learn about the Zika virus". Samuel Lim, 33, noted: "There are a lot of mosquitoes in this area. One walk around the nearby park, and you get 20 bites in one minute." Mr Lim was referring to the playground at the junction of Watten Rise and Shelford Road. His wife, Emily Luah, 31, added: "I'm also four months pregnant so I'm quite worried about this, but there are only so many precautions I can take." Watten Estate as pictured on Google Earth Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli wrote on his Facebook page: "We need to work together as a community to minimise the risk of any spread of Zika in Singapore and take immediate steps to prevent mosquito breeding in our homes by doing the 5-step Mozzie Wipeout every alternate day, and protect ourselves from mosquito bites by applying insect repellent regularly. "The patient is currently well and recovering and will be discharged when tested negative for the Zika virus. I wish him a speedy recovery." "CHALLENGING" TO STOP ZIKA FROM SPREADING TO SINGAPORE The Zika virus has been spreading widely through South America, in particular Brazil, where the virus was first linked with babies being born with microcephaly – abnormally small skulls and underdeveloped brains. On Feb 1, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Zika a global health emergency that needed a coordinated response. There have been no reports of outbreaks in Asia, although sporadic cases of local Zika infection have been detected in several countries in Southeast Asia, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand previously. On Jan 19, Taiwan reported an imported case of Zika from Thailand; South Korea reported its first imported case on Mar 21; and Vietnam, its first infections on Apr 5. Health Minister Gan Kim Yong warned in January that said it may be "challenging" to prevent the virus from spreading and eventually becoming entrenched in Singapore. Mr Gan said in Parliament that the presence of the Aedes mosquito vector here is one reason for his assessment, and that the mild, non-specific nature of the symptoms in most infected patients would also make surveillance difficult. Zika was added to the list of legally notifiable infectious diseases on Jan 26, and all medical practitioners and diagnostic laboratories are required to notify MOH of suspected and confirmed cases of Zika virus infection within 24 hours. MOH also said in early February that it would set up a clinical advisory group on the Zika virus to provide expert advice on the management of pregnant women with Zika. Other precautionary measures were stepped up as well, including sending circulars to doctors and health advisories to travellers to and from Zika-affected countries. On Feb 29, Senior Minister of State for Health Amy Khor told Parliament that MOH and NEA would introduce more measures to tackle Zika. She said MOH would expand Zika virus testing capability to more public hospital laboratories, while NEA would step up the testing of blood samples for Zika from patients with fever, rashes and suspected dengue. There is no treatment or vaccine for Zika yet. Drugmakers are scrambling to develop a safe and effective vaccine for Zika, but the WHO has said it would take at least 18 months to start large-scale clinical trials. - CNA/dt

The Ministry of Health (MOH) and National Environment Agency (NEA) reported Singapore's first imported case of Zika on Friday (May 13). In a joint statement, MOH and NEA said: "The patient is a 48-year-old male Singapore Permanent Resident who had travelled to Sao Paulo, Brazil from Mar 27 to May 7. The patient developed fever and rash from May 10 and was admitted to Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital on May 12 and isolated. "The patient tested positive for Zika virus infection on May 13. He will be transferred to the Communicable Diseases Centre at Tan Tock Seng Hospital for treatment and isolation to minimise the chances of being bitten by mosquitoes and spreading the infection in the community. The patient is currently well and recovering. He will only be discharged upon being tested negative for the Zika virus." http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-reports-first/2782808.html

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Two More Female Patients, One Pregnant, Test Positive for Zika The state Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced that two female Connecticut residents, one of them pregnant, have tested positive for the Zika virus. The non-pregnant patient returned from Puerto Rico in late April and became ill on April 29th with a rash, conjunctivitis and other symptoms associated with Zika. The other patient, nine weeks pregnant, returned from the Dominican Republic also in late April and became ill on April 28th with a rash. Both patients and their physicians have been informed of the test results. "As we head into the summer travel months, it is very important for travelers to Zika affected areas to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites. This is particularly critical for pregnant women or women planning to become pregnant, who should postpone travel to these areas if at all possible," cautioned DPH Commissioner Dr. Raul Pino. The State Laboratory confirmed both test results using PCR testing. This level of testing is used for patients who are actively experiencing symptoms of the virus. The State Laboratory was approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in March for PCR testing, after Governor Malloy directed DPH to develop and begin testing for Zika. Prior to this approval, specimens were sent to the CDC for testing, resulting in long wait times for results. The State Laboratory has also been approved by the CDC to provide a second type of testing for patients who are no longer actively sick or who never had symptoms of the virus. Both of these tests are conducted using blood specimens from the patients. Based on new guidance released by the CDC earlier this week, the State Public Health Laboratory can also perform PCR testing on urine specimens collected within 14 days after onset of symptoms in patients with suspected Zika virus. In Connecticut, 252 patients, including 221 pregnant women, have been tested for Zika virus. Six of the patients tested have been positive for travel-related Zika, including today’s two patients. Of the six, the first four have fully recovered from the virus. The two pregnant patients will continue to be monitored for the duration of their pregnancies for signs of birth defects, like microcephaly, which have occurred in some babies whose mothers contracted Zika while pregnant. The countries visited by the eight Zika positive patients where they became infected with Zika virus are Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Colombia and Ecuador. To date, 503 cases of travel-related Zika have been reported in the continental United States. Of those, 48 were pregnant women and 10 were sexually transmitted. Content Last Modified on 5/12/2016 4:37:02 PM

Two More Female Patients, One Pregnant, Test Positive for Zika The state Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced that two female Connecticut residents, one of them pregnant, have tested positive for the Zika virus. The non-pregnant patient returned from Puerto Rico in late April and became ill on April 29th with a rash, conjunctivitis and other symptoms associated with Zika. The other patient, nine weeks pregnant, returned from the Dominican Republic also in late April and became ill on April 28th with a rash. Both patients and their physicians have been informed of the test results. http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?A=4820&Q=580276

May 12, 2016 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH DAILY ZIKA UPDATE: NO NEW CASES TODAY Contact:Communications [email protected](850) 245-4111 Tallahassee, Fla.—In an effort to keep Florida residents and visitors safe and aware about the status of the Zika virus, the Florida Department of Health will issue a Zika virus update each week day at 2 p.m. Updates will include a CDC-confirmed Zika case count by county and information to better keep Floridians prepared. There are no new cases today. Of the cases confirmed in Florida, four cases are still exhibiting symptoms. According to the CDC, symptoms associated with the Zika virus last between seven to 10 days. Based on CDC guidance, several pregnant women who have traveled to countries with local-transmission of Zika have received antibody testing, and of those, seven have tested positive for the Zika virus. The CDC recommends that a pregnant woman with a history of Zika virus and her provider should consider additional ultrasounds. It is recommended that women who are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant postpone travel to Zika affected areas. County Number of Cases (all travel related) Alachua 4 Brevard 2 Broward 15 Clay 1 Collier 1 Hillsborough 3 Lee 4 Martin 1 Miami-Dade 44 Orange 8 Osceola 4 Palm Beach 7 Pasco 1 Pinellas 1 Polk 3 Santa Rosa 1 Seminole 2 St. Johns 1 Volusia 2 Cases involving pregnant women* 7 Total 112 *Counties of pregnant women will not be shared. On Feb. 12, Governor Scott directed the State Surgeon General to activate a Zika Virus Information Hotline for current Florida residents and visitors, as well as anyone planning on traveling to Florida in the near future. The hotline, managed by the Department of Health, has assisted 1,681 callers since it launched. The number for the Zika Virus Information Hotline is 1-855-622-6735. All cases are travel-associated. There have been no locally-acquired cases of Zika in Florida. For more information on the Zika virus, click here. The department urges Floridians to drain standing water weekly, no matter how seemingly small. A couple drops of water in a bottle cap can be a breeding location for mosquitoes. Residents and visitors also need to use repellents when enjoying the Florida outdoors. More Information on DOH action on Zika: On Feb. 3, Governor Scott directed the State Surgeon General to issue a Declaration of Public Health Emergency for the counties of residents with travel-associated cases of Zika.There have been 19 counties included in the declaration– Alachua, Brevard, Broward, Clay, Collier, Hillsborough, Lee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Santa Rosa, Seminole, St. Johns and Volusia – and will be updated as needed.DOH encourages Florida residents and visitors to protect themselves from all mosquito-borne illnesses by draining standing water; covering their skin with repellent and clothing; and covering windows with screens.DOH has a robust mosquito-borne illness surveillance system and is working with the CDC, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and local county mosquito control boards to ensure that the proper precautions are being taken to protect Florida residents and visitors.On April 6, Governor Rick Scott and Interim State Surgeon General Dr. Celeste Philip hosted a conference call with Florida Mosquito Control Districts to discuss ongoing preparations to fight the possible spread of the Zika virus in Florida. There were 74 attendees on the call.Florida currently has the capacity to test 6,409 people for active Zika virus and 2,042 for Zika antibodies.Federal Guidance on Zika: According to the CDC, Zika illness is generally mild with a rash, fever and joint pain. CDC researchers have concluded that Zika virus is a cause of microcephaly and other birth defects.The FDA released guidance regarding donor screening, deferral and product management to reduce the risk of transfusion-transmission of Zika virus. Additional information is available on the FDA website here.The CDC has put out guidance related to the sexual transmission of the Zika virus. This includes the CDC recommendation that if you have traveled to a country with local transmission of Zika you should abstain from unprotected sex.For more information on Zika virus, click here. About the Florida Department of Health The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health, please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov. http://www.floridahealth.gov/newsroom/2016/05/051216-zika-update.html

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CDCStatesStatesStatesStatesStatesCDC 4-May5-May6-May9-May10-May11-May11-MayAL2333332AR2444442AZ1111111CA40434545454640CO2222222CT1444441DE3333333DC3333344FL95102105107109112103GA13131313131313HI7777777IL13161616161616IN6666666IA5555555KS1111111KY5556665LA4444444MD17171717171716MA10101010101010ME2222233MI3333333MN17171717171717MO3444443MS3333333MT1111111NC11111111111111ND0111110NE2222222NH3333333NJ999991212NM1111111NV2444442NY8911012012012112498OH12121212121212OK4444444OR610101010106PA17171718181818RI1111122SC1111111TN2222222TX30333435363632UT2222222VA13131313131515VT1111111WA2222222WV6666666 473524540545549564503

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Laboratory-confirmed Zika virus disease cases reported to ArboNET by state or territory — United States, 2015–2016 (as of May 11, 2016) http://www.cdc.gov/zika/geo/united-states.html StatesTravel-associated cases* No. (%) (N=503)Locally acquired cases† No. (%) (N=0)Alabama2 (<1)0 (0)Arizona1 (<1)0 (0)Arkansas2 (<1)0 (0)California40 (8)0 (0)Colorado2 (<1)0 (0)Connecticut1 (<1)0 (0)Delaware3 (1)0 (0)District of Columbia4 (1)0 (0)Florida103 (21)0 (0)Georgia13 (3)0 (0)Hawaii7 (2)0 (0)Illinois16 (3)0 (0)Indiana6 (1)0 (0)Iowa5 (1)0 (0)Kansas1 (<1)0 (0)Kentucky5 (1)0 (0)Louisiana4 (1)0 (0)Maine3 (<1)0 (0)Maryland16 (4)0 (0)Massachusetts10 (2)0 (0)Michigan3 (1)0 (0)Minnesota17 (4)0 (0)Mississippi3 (1)0 (0)Missouri3 (1)0 (0)Montana1 (<1)0 (0)Nebraska2 (<1)0 (0)Nevada2 (<1)0 (0)New Hampshire3 (1)0 (0)New Jersey12 (2)0 (0)New Mexico1 (<1)0 (0)New York98 (20)0 (0)North Carolina11 (3)0 (0)Ohio12 (3)0 (0)Oklahoma4 (1)0 (0)Oregon6 (1)0 (0)Pennsylvania18 (4)0 (0)Rhode Island2 (<1)0 (0)

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Laboratory-confirmed Zika virus disease cases reported to ArboNET by state or territory — United States, 2015–2016 (as of May 11, 2016) http://www.cdc.gov/zika/geo/united-states.html StatesTravel-associated cases* No. (%) (N=503)Locally acquired cases† No. (%) (N=0)Alabama2 (<1)0 (0)Arizona1 (<1)0 (0)Arkansas2 (<1)0 (0)California40 (8)0 (0)Colorado2 (<1)0 (0)Connecticut1 (<1)0 (0)Delaware3 (1)0 (0)District of Columbia4 (1)0 (0)Florida103 (21)0 (0)Georgia13 (3)0 (0)Hawaii7 (2)0 (0)Illinois16 (3)0 (0)Indiana6 (1)0 (0)Iowa5 (1)0 (0)Kansas1 (<1)0 (0)Kentucky5 (1)0 (0)Louisiana4 (1)0 (0)Maine3 (<1)0 (0)Maryland16 (4)0 (0)Massachusetts10 (2)0 (0)Michigan3 (1)0 (0)Minnesota17 (4)0 (0)Mississippi3 (1)0 (0)Missouri3 (1)0 (0)Montana1 (<1)0 (0)Nebraska2 (<1)0 (0)Nevada2 (<1)0 (0)New Hampshire3 (1)0 (0)New Jersey12 (2)0 (0)

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Laboratory-confirmed Zika virus disease cases reported to ArboNET by state or territory — United States, 2015–2016 (as of May 11, 2016) http://www.cdc.gov/zika/geo/united-states.html StatesTravel-associated cases* No. (%) (N=503)Locally acquired cases† No. (%) (N=0)Alabama2 (<1)0 (0)Arizona1 (<1)0 (0)Arkansas2 (<1)0 (0)California40 (8)0 (0)Colorado2 (<1)0 (0)Connecticut1 (<1)0 (0)Delaware3 (1)0 (0)District of Columbia4 (1)0 (0)Florida103 (21)0 (0)Georgia13 (3)0 (0)Hawaii7 (2)0 (0)Illinois16 (3)0 (0)Indiana6 (1)0 (0)Iowa5 (1)0 (0)Kansas1 (<1)0 (0)Kentucky5 (1)0 (0)Louisiana4 (1)0 (0)Maine3 (<1)0 (0)

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Laboratory-confirmed Zika virus disease cases reported to ArboNET by state or territory — United States, 2015–2016 (as of May 11, 2016) http://www.cdc.gov/zika/geo/united-states.html StatesTravel-associated cases* No. (%) (N=503)Locally acquired cases† No. (%) (N=0)Alabama2 (<1)0 (0)Arizona1 (<1)0 (0)Arkansas2 (<1)0 (0)California40 (8)0 (0)Colorado2 (<1)0 (0)Connecticut1 (<1)0 (0)Delaware3 (1)0 (0)District of Columbia4 (1)0 (0)

As of May 11, 2016 (5 am EST) Zika virus disease and Zika virus congenital infection are nationally notifiable conditions.This update from the CDC Arboviral Disease Branch includes provisional data reported to ArboNET for January 1, 2015 – May 11, 2016.US States Travel-associated Zika virus disease cases reported: 503Locally acquired vector-borne cases reported: 0Total: 503Pregnant: 48Sexually transmitted: 10Guillain-Barré syndrome: 1US Territories Travel-associated cases reported: 3Locally acquired cases reported: 698Total: 701Pregnant: 65Guillain-Barré syndrome: 5 Laboratory-confirmed Zika virus disease cases reported to ArboNET by state or territory — United States, 2015–2016 (as of May 11, 2016) StatesTravel-associated cases* No. (%) (N=503)Locally acquired cases† No. (%) (N=0)Alabama2 (<1)0 (0)Arizona1 (<1)0 (0)Arkansas2 (<1)0 (0)California40 (8)0 (0)Colorado2 (<1)0 (0)Connecticut1 (<1)0 (0)Delaware3 (1)0 (0)District of Columbia4 (1)0 (0)Florida103 (21)0 (0)Georgia13 (3)0 (0)Hawaii7 (2)0 (0)Illinois16 (3)0 (0)Indiana6 (1)0 (0)Iowa5 (1)0 (0)Kansas1 (<1)0 (0)Kentucky5 (1)0 (0)Louisiana4 (1)0 (0)Maine3 (<1)0 (0)Maryland16 (4)0 (0)Massachusetts10 (2)0 (0)Michigan3 (1)0 (0)Minnesota17 (4)0 (0)Mississippi3 (1)0 (0)Missouri3 (1)0 (0)Montana1 (<1)0 (0)Nebraska2 (<1)0 (0)Nevada2 (<1)0 (0)New Hampshire3 (1)0 (0)New Jersey12 (2)0 (0)New Mexico1 (<1)0 (0)New York98 (20)0 (0)North Carolina11 (3)0 (0)Ohio12 (3)0 (0)Oklahoma4 (1)0 (0)Oregon6 (1)0 (0)Pennsylvania18 (4)0 (0)Rhode Island2 (<1)0 (0)South Carolina1 (<1)0 (0)Tennessee2 (<1)0 (0)Texas32 (6)0 (0)Utah2 (<1)0 (0)Vermont1 (<1)0 (0)Virginia15 (3)0 (0)Washington2 (<1)0 (0)West Virginia6 (1)0 (0) Territories(N=3)(N=698)American Samoa0 (0)14 (2)Puerto Rico2 (67)669 (96)US Virgin Islands1 (33)15 (2)*Travelers returning from affected areas, their sexual contacts, or infants infected in utero †Presumed local mosquito-borne transmission

Public health expert in Canada says Olympics in Rio should be postponed due to Zika virus 18 Tweet emailIn this Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016 file photo, a health workers stands in the Sambadrome spraying insecticide to combat the Aedes aegypti mosquito that transmits the Zika virus in Rio de Janeiro. (LEO CORREA/AP)THE ASSOCIATED PRESSWednesday, May 11, 2016, 12:48 PMLONDON (AP) — With the opening ceremony in Rio de Janeiro less than three months away, a Canadian professor has called for the Olympics to be postponed or moved because of the Zika outbreak, warning the influx of visitors to Brazil will result in the avoidable birth of malformed babies. “But for the games, would anyone recommend sending an extra half a million visitors into Brazil right now?” University of Ottawa professor Amir Attaran, who specializes in public health, said in an article published this week in the Harvard Public Health Review. Brazil is by far the country most affected by Zika, a mosquito-borne virus which has now been scientifically proven to cause a range of disturbing birth defects, including babies born with abnormally small heads and neurological problems. In February, the World Health Organization declared the epidemic to be a global health emergency. The WHO says there are no restrictions on travel or trade with countries affected by Zika outbreaks but advises pregnant women not to travel to those regions. The Zika virus is here — so here’s what you need to know Attaran’s position is not shared by Olympic and global health authorities, who insist the Aug. 5-21 games will not be derailed by the virus. The International Olympic Committee, which follows the WHO’s advice, said it has no plans to relocate or postpone the games. “The clear statements from WHO that there should be no restrictions on travel and trade means there is no justification for canceling or delaying or postponing or moving the Rio Games,” Dr. Richard Budgett, the IOC’s medical director, told The Associated Press. “The IOC will continue to monitor the situation very closely and work with the WHO, and we’re confident as we’ve been advised by the experts that the situation will improve over the next three months.” The Olympics are set to begin in less than three months in Rio despite Zika concerns.(NACHO DOCE/REUTERS)The Olympics are expected to draw about 500,000 visitors from abroad, a prospect that Attaran fears could spark new outbreaks elsewhere in the world and result in an increase in the number of brain-damaged babies born to infected pregnant women that might otherwise not have traveled to Brazil. He doesn’t want the games to be canceled, but argues they should be delayed or moved. “If the IOC and the World Health Organization do not have the generosity of heart to delay the games to prevent children being born and disabled their whole lives, then they’re among the cruelest institutions in the world,” Attaran, an outspoken critic of WHO, said in a telephone interview with the AP. “What I’m asking for is a bit of delayed gratification so that babies aren’t born permanently disabled.” The Zika outbreak is just one of the challenges facing Brazil in the buildup to South America’s first Olympics. Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff is facing impeachment, the economy is in deep recession and the country is gripped by a vast corruption scandal centered on state-controlled oil giant Petrobras. How NBC's Olympics Team Plans to Handle the Zika Crisis Attaran is not the first public health official to call for the games to be postponed because of the Zika risk; New York-based academics Arthur Caplan and Lee Igel wrote in an article in Forbes in February that hosting the Olympics at a site teeming with the virus is “quite simply, irresponsible.” The IOC and Brazilian organizers say the Zika threat will be mitigated because the games are taking place in the South American winter, reducing the mosquito population. But not everyone is convinced the Zika threat will subside entirely by August. 44 PHOTOSVIEW GALLERYFears mount as Zika virus is declared global emergency“This is a wake-up call for authorities to look at the situation more closely,” said Jimmy Whitworth, a professor of international public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, referring to Attaran’s article. He was not linked to Attaran’s paper and acknowledged it might be difficult to change any Olympic plans at this late stage. Whitworth said it was WHO’s responsibility to make the health risks clear, even if that means issuing what could be very unpopular advice that could affect the Olympics. “WHO isn’t there to be popular, so they need to put that aside and consider the public health perspective,” he said. MLB moving Pirates-Marlins series out of Puerto Rico due to Zika WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier said it was important for every traveler who goes to the Rio Games to take precautions against mosquitoes and that pregnant women should speak with their doctors. World soccer’s governing body seems to take Attaran’s warnings seriously. Michel D’Hooghe, chairman of the FIFA medical committee, described the Canadian’s paper as “an alarming message” and said he would ask FIFA’s medical office for an evaluation and report to the ruling FIFA Council. The Olympic soccer tournament will be played in venues across Brazil, including areas where Zika is more prevalent than Rio. A female Aedes aegypti mosquito acquires a blood meal on the arm of a researcher at the Biomedical Sciences Institute in the Sao Paulo's University earlier this year. (ANDRE PENNER/AP)U.S. women’s team goalkeeper Hope Solo said in February that she would not go to the Rio Olympics if she had to choose then, citing worries about Zika. In an interview Tuesday with CNBC, Solo said she would go “begrudgingly.” “I’m going to take every precaution necessary,” she said. “I’m not sure I’m even going to be leaving the hotel room, outside of practice.” The medical director of Australia’s Olympic team said there was “no chance” the games would be moved. Dr. David Hughes said in a statement Wednesday that the Zika risk to Australian athletes was “minimal,” although he noted only the link to a condition that sometimes causes Guillain-Barre syndrome, a potentially fatal condition that also causes temporary paralysis. He made no mention of the proof the virus causes the birth of permanently brain-damaged babies. “The last couple of people that I have spoken to, who have been to Rio in the past month or two, haven’t seen a mosquito,” Hughes said. “I believe we can proceed with confidence, knowing that we have appropriate guidelines and preventative measures in place.” Follow the Daily News Sports on Facebook. "Like" us here. Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious diseases specialist at the University of Toronto who has studied the anticipated path of the virus, said it is “very likely” the Olympics could speed up the spread of Zika around the world. Still, Bogoch said that since most people traveling to Rio wouldn’t be affected by Zika, it would be an overreaction to move or postpone the games. “The spread of Zika to other countries is already happening,” he said. “Canceling the Olympics is not going to prevent that.” http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/public-health-experts-olympics-rio-postponed-article-1.2633117

WHO and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recognize that athletes and visitors are seeking more information on the risks of Zika and ways to prevent infection while attending the 2016 Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games (5 August to 18 September 2016). Brazil is one of the 58 countries and territories which to-date report continuing transmission of Zika virus by mosquitoes. While mosquitoes are the primary vectors, a person infected with Zika virus can also transmit the virus to another person through unprotected sex. Zika virus disease usually causes mild symptoms(1), and most people will not develop any symptoms. However, there is scientific consensus that Zika virus is a cause of microcephaly (children being born with unusually small heads) and other brain malformations and disorders in babies born to women who were infected with Zika virus during pregnancy, and Guillain-Barré syndrome (a rare but serious neurological disorder that could lead to paralysis and death). Athletes and visitors to Rio de Janeiro, and other areas where Zika virus is circulating, are being encouraged to: follow the travel advice(2) provided by WHO and their countries’ health authorities, and consult a health worker before travelling;whenever possible, during the day, protect themselves from mosquito bites by using insect repellents and by wearing clothing – preferably light-coloured – that covers as much of the body as possible;practice safer sex (e.g. use condoms correctly and consistently) or abstain from sex during their stay and for at least 4 weeks after their return, particularly if they have had or are experiencing symptoms of Zika virus;choose air-conditioned accommodation (windows and doors are usually kept closed to prevent the cool air from escaping, and mosquitoes cannot enter the rooms);avoid visiting impoverished and over-crowded areas in cities and towns with no piped water and poor sanitation (ideal breeding grounds of mosquitoes) where the risk of being bitten is higher. Pregnant women continue to be advised not to travel to areas with ongoing Zika virus transmission. This includes Rio de Janeiro. Pregnant women’s sex partners returning from areas with circulating virus continue to be counselled to practice safer sex or abstain throughout the pregnancy(3). The Games will take place during Brazil’s wintertime, when there are fewer active mosquitoes and the risk of being bitten is lower. WHO/PAHO is providing public health advice to the Government of Brazil and, under a Memorandum of Understanding, the International Olympic Committee and, by extension, the Rio 2016 Local Organizing Committee, on ways to further mitigate the risk of athletes and visitors contracting Zika virus during the Games. An important focus of WHO advice revolves around measures to reduce populations of Aedesmosquitoes which transmit chikungunya, dengue and yellow fever in addition to Zika virus. WHO/PAHO will continue to monitor the Zika virus transmission and risks in Brazil and in other affected areas to provide updates on how Zika virus outbreaks, risks and prevention interventions develop between now and August and beyond. Media contacts: Daniel Epstein Department of Communications PAHO/WHO Office: +1 202 974 3579 Mobile: +1 301 219 2105 [email protected] Nyka Alexander Communication Officer World Health Organization Office: +41 22 791 5029 Mobile: +41 79 634 0295 [email protected] Christian Lindmeier Communications officer World Health Organization Office: +41 22 791 1948 Mobile: +41 79 500 6552 [email protected] ________________________________________________________________________________________ [1] Symptoms include fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, and headache. [2] Travel advice from WHO [3] Prevention of sexual transmission

Zika virus and the 2016 Rio Olympic and Paralympic GamesWHO statement 12 May 2016 http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2016/zika-olympics/en/

MC FBDS map update https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1RcVTrkYW6hax_iITjKUkEcBCVeI

Table 3. Countries, territories and areas reporting microcephaly and /or CNS malformation cases potentially associated with Zika virus infection Reporting country or territory Number of microcephaly and /or CNS malformation cases suggestive of congenital infections or potentially associated with a Zika virus infection Probable location of infection Brazil 13264 Brazil Cabo Verde 3 Cabo Verde Colombia 7 Colombia French Polynesia 8 French Polynesia Marshall Islands 1 Mashall Islands Martinique 2 5 Martinique Panama 4 Panama Slovenia6 1 Brazil United States of America7,8 2 Brazil; Mexico, Belize or Guatemala (undetermined)

WHO cites Zika linked microcephaly case in Marshall Islands http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/206311/1/zikasitrep_12May2016_eng.pdf?ua=1