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Third Zika virus case confirmed in QuebecQuebec public health officials downplay fears of an outbreak in the provinceCBC News Posted: Feb 01, 2016 12:09 PM ET Last Updated: Feb 01, 2016 5:12 PM ET The Aedes aegypti mosquito spreads the Zika virus, as well as dengue fever and chikungunya. (James Gathany/CDC/Associated Press) 2 shares Facebook Twitter Reddit Google Share Email Related StoriesZika virus: Worries trump homesickness for pregnant Brazilian MontrealerZika virus: What Quebecers should knowZika virus outbreak an emergency, World Health Organization saysWhat's driving Canadian winter travel trends? Hint, it's not the Zika virusTwo more cases of the Zika virus were confirmed in Quebec today, bringing the total number of infected people to three. On Monday morning, Health Minister Gaétan Barrette confirmed that one person contracted the virus on a recent trip to Brazil. He said that Quebecer is now at home, suffering from flu-like symptoms. Zika virus: What Quebecers should knowZika virus concerns weighed by WHO expertsWhat's driving Canadian winter travel trends? Hint, it's not the Zika virusLater, on Monday afternoon, the ministry confirmed another case. The first case, confirmed by authorities last Friday, involved a woman who was infected while travelling in the Caribbean in early January. 'Practically zero' risk in QuebecQuebec public health officials have sought to downplay fears of an outbreak of the Zika virus. Dr. Horacio Arruda, Quebec's director of public health, said last Friday the chances of contracting the virus in Quebec are "practically zero." The type of mosquito that transmits Zika is not present in Quebec, he added. Arruda did warn that Quebecers who visit Central and South America should take precautions, especially women who are pregnant or thinking about having children. The Zika virus is believed to have a connection to microcephaly, a rare neurological birth defect characterized by an abnormally small head that can lead to developmental issues or even death.

Third Zika Case In Quebec traveler. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/zika-virus-quebec-third-case-1.3428731

Metro Health confirms 1st Zika Virus case in Bexar CountyUpdated: Mon, Feb 01 2016, 08:05 PM | FOX San Antonio 1 Photo Courtesy: James Gathany / USCDCP / MGN SAN ANTONIO - The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District has confirmed the first case of the Zika Virus in Bexar County. In a press release, Metro Health received the confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the first case in Bexar County. Metro Health also has additional possible infections under investigation. All are associated with travel to affected areas. The individual has now recovered and is virus-free. The Zika virus is part of the same family as the viruses that cause yellow fever, West Nile, Chikungunya and Dengue. Zika is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes. It can also be transmitted from a pregnant mother to her baby during pregnancy or around the time of birth. About one in five people infected with Zika will get sick. According to the World Health Organization, which met today, most cases will have no symptoms but the virus has been linked to brain abnormalities in thousands of babies in Brazil. Common symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis (red eyes). Symptoms typically begin 2 to 7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. With no treatment or vaccine available, avoid traveling to the parts of the world where the virus is spreading. . If you do travel to a country where Zika is present, the CDC advises strict adherence to mosquito protection measures: - Use an EPA-approved repellent over sunscreen - Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts thick enough to block a mosquito bite - Sleep in air-conditioned, screened rooms See your healthcare provider if you have traveled to a country where Zika virus is occurring and are currently experiencing symptoms (fever, rash, joint pain, or red eyes) within 2 weeks after traveling. Be sure to tell your health care provider where you traveled. http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/Metro-Health-confirms-1st-Zika-Virus-case-in-Bexar-County-252346.shtml#.VrCJB7IrKds

Confirmed the first case of the virus Zika in San AntonioFebruary 1, 201606Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Zika virus by the Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which are the same that transmit yellow fever, chikingunya, viral encephalitis, dengue fever and West Nile virus is transmitted (Photo: Mario Tama / Getty Images)..The health department of the city of San Antonio said Monday that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the first case of the Zika virus in Bexar County. The Metropolitan Health District in San Antonio said that the individual has recovered and is free of virus. Seven other cases have been confirmed in Texas -all in Houston- area and also infected have recovered. At least six people in Bexar County tests were applied to them last week. The Department of Health said "all were associated with travel to affected areas." According to the health department, "Zika virus is part of the same family that causes yellow fever, West Nile virus, and Dengue Chikingunya. Zika virus is mainly transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. It can also be transmitted by a pregnant woman to her baby during pregnancy or childbirth in the near time mother. One in five people infected with Zika will get sick. " Common symptoms, which usually begin two to seven days after being bitten by an infected mosquito, include fever, rash, joint pain, or red eyes, according to the city. The UN agency took a rare step, despite the lack of definitive evidence that the virus is transmitted by mosquitoes causing an increase in babies born with brain defects and abnormally small heads in Brazil and after an outbreak in French Polynesia 2013-2014. On Monday cited an emergency meeting of independent experts in response to the increase of babies with microcephaly in Brazil since the virus was found last year. Officials of French Polynesia also documented a connection between Zika virus and neurological complications when the virus has spread two years ago, while dengue fever. "After reviewing the evidence, the committee determined that cases of microcephaly and other neurological complications are an extraordinary event and a threat to public health from around the world," said the director general of the World Health Organization, Dr. Margaret Chan. Although the Director General of WHO, Dr. Margaret Chan, said there is no conclusive evidence that the Zika virus, spread by mosquitoes variety Aedes aegypti , is responsible for birth defects, Chan acknowledged Thursday that "the degree of alarm is very high. " The last time a public health emergency was declared when the devastating outbreak of Ebola virus in 2014 in Western, which killed more than 11,000 people Africa. WHO estimates that there could be four million cases of Zika in America. __ John Boyd of the Houston Chronicle contributed to this report. http://lmtenespanol.lmtonline.com/espanol/?p=23166 ~Kolten Parker, San Antonio Express News

First Zika virus case confirmed in San Antonio areaBY NEWS 4 SAN ANTONIO MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1ST 2016Cropped Photo: Stephen Ausmus / USDA / CC BY 2.0218 shares SAN ANTONIO — (WOAI) The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District has confirmed the first case of the Zika Virus in Bexar County. In a press release, Metro Health received the confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the first case in Bexar County. Metro Health also has additional possible infections under investigation. All are associated with travel to affected areas. The individual has now recovered and is virus-free. The Zika virus is part of the same family as the viruses that cause yellow fever, West Nile, Chikungunya and Dengue. Zika is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes. It can also be transmitted from a pregnant mother to her baby during pregnancy or around the time of birth. About one in five people infected with Zika will get sick. According to the World Health Organization, which met today, most cases will have no symptoms but the virus has been linked to brain abnormalities in thousands of babies in Brazil. Common symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis (red eyes). Symptoms typically begin 2 to 7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. With no treatment or vaccine available, avoid traveling to the parts of the world where the virus is spreading. . If you do travel to a country where Zika is present, the CDC advises strict adherence to mosquito protection measures: Use an EPA-approved repellent over sunscreenWear long pants and long-sleeved shirts thick enough to block a mosquito biteSleep in air-conditioned, screened roomsSee your healthcare provider if you have traveled to a country where Zika virus is occurring and are currently experiencing symptoms (fever, rash, joint pain, or red eyes) within 2 weeks after traveling. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider where you traveled. http://keyetv.com/news/local/first-zika-virus-case-confirmed-in-san-antonio-area

Zika diagnosis confirmed in San Antonio areaKXAN/APPublished: February 1, 2016, 5:52 pm Updated: February 1, 2016, 5:58 pmClick to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window) 136Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)136 Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)An Aedes aegypti mosquito is photographed through a microscope at the Fiocruz institute in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016. The mosquito is a vector for the proliferation of the Zika virus currently spreading throughout Latin America. New figures from Brazil's Health Ministry show that the Zika virus outbreak has not caused as many confirmed cases of a rare brain defect as first feared. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)Related CoverageWhat we know: WHO declares global emergency over Zika virus The Latest: Brazilian gov’t welcomes WHO’s Zika declaration SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KXAN) – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed that a person in Bexar County had the Zika virus. It is the first diagnosis in the San Antonio area. According to The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, the patient has recovered and is now virus free. About one in five people infected with Zika will get sick. Metro Health is currently investigating additional infections that may possibly be the Zika virus. Those individuals under investigation had traveled to affected areas. The Zika virus is “spreading explosively” in the Americas, which could see up to 4 million cases over the next year, international health officials said Thursday, announcing a special meeting next week to decide if they should declare an international health emergency. The warning from the World Health Organization came amid a call to arms by officials on both sides of the Atlantic over the mosquito-borne virus, which has been linked to a spike in a rare birth defect in Brazil. http://kxan.com/2016/02/01/zika-diagnosis-confirmed-in-san-antonio-area/

Metro Health confirms first Zika virus case in Bexar CountyKENS 5 staff5:41 p.m. CST February 1, 2016(Photo: KENS 5) CONNECTTWEETLINKEDINCOMMENTEMAILMOREBEXAR COUNTY, Texas -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed to Metro Health the first Zika virus case in Bexar County. Metro Health states that the individual has now recovered and is virus-free while other possible cases are still under investigation. Earlier today, the CDC confirmed seven cases in the Houston area. KENS 5 Seven cases of Zika virus confirmed in Houston area The Zika virus is spread by the Aedes mosquito and can’t be passed from person to person. For now, only people who live in or travel to Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia are at risk. Those who have contracted the disease have not done so from mosquitoes in the United States, but rather from mosquitoes the encountered while traveling. Bexar County: First case of Zika virus confirmed According to the Centers for Disease Control, Zika virus mostly causes three to seven days of mild fever, rash, aches and red eyes. Most people don’t have any symptoms and don’t even know they have the virus. However, it can be dangerous for pregnant women. The virus has been linked to birth defects that can cause a child's head or brain to develop abnormally small. The CDC is advising pregnant women to postpone trips to the countries affected. KENS 5 WHO declares health emergency for Zika virus Those still planning to travel to the affected countries are advised to take precautions by wearing bug spray, long sleeves and, if possible, stay indoors. There is no known vaccine or medicine to treat the Zika virus. http://www.kvue.com/story/news/2016/02/01/metro-health-confirms-first-zika-virus-case-bexar-country/79662724/

BREAKING: Metro Health confirms 1st Zika Virus case in Bexar CountyBY FOX SAN ANTONIO STAFF MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1ST 2016zika virus.jpg169 shares SAN ANTONIO - The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District has confirmed the first case of the Zika Virus in Bexar County. In a press release, Metro Health received the confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the first case in Bexar County. Metro Health also has additional possible infections under investigation. All are associated with travel to affected areas. The individual has now recovered and is virus-free. The Zika virus is part of the same family as the viruses that cause yellow fever, West Nile, Chikungunya and Dengue. Zika is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes. It can also be transmitted from a pregnant mother to her baby during pregnancy or around the time of birth. About one in five people infected with Zika will get sick. According to the World Health Organization, which met today, most cases will have no symptoms but the virus has been linked to brain abnormalities in thousands of babies in Brazil. Common symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis (red eyes). Symptoms typically begin 2 to 7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. With no treatment or vaccine available, avoid traveling to the parts of the world where the virus is spreading. . If you do travel to a country where Zika is present, the CDC advises strict adherence to mosquito protection measures: - Use an EPA-approved repellent over sunscreen - Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts thick enough to block a mosquito bite - Sleep in air-conditioned, screened rooms See your healthcare provider if you have traveled to a country where Zika virus is occurring and are currently experiencing symptoms (fever, rash, joint pain, or red eyes) within 2 weeks after traveling. Be sure to tell your health care provider where you traveled.

Zika Confirmed In San Antonio Texas Traveler http://foxsanantonio.com/news/local/breaking-metro-health-confirms-1st-zika-virus-case-in-bexar-county

3 more cases of Zika virus confirmed in Harris County; brings total cases to 7 in Houston area4th confirmed case of Zika virus in greater Houston area; 3rd in city of HoustonBy Click2Houston.com StaffPosted: 3:37 PM, February 01, 2016Updated: 4:06 PM, February 01, 2016 A mere hours after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Zika virus an international emergency, health officials in Harris County have confirmed three new cases of the virus within the county. Each of the three new cases were found in positive tests of individuals who recently traveled to Latin America and exhibited Zika-like symptoms, including fever, rash and joint pain, according to Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services. All individuals have since recovered. The new cases bring the total of positive Zika instances to seven within Houston and Harris County. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed Houston's first case in January. A traveler returning from El Salvador in November fell ill with fever, rash and joint pain. The agency determined that she brought the illness into this country following a month of investigation and testing. WHO convened an emergency meeting of independent experts on Monday to assess the outbreak after noting a suspicious link between Zika's arrival in Brazil last year and a surge in the number of babies born with abnormally small heads. Although WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan said there was no definitive proof that the Zika virus, spread by mosquitoes, is responsible for the birth defects, she acknowledged on Thursday that "the level of alarm is extremely high." The last such public health emergency was declared for the devastating 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, which killed more than 11,000 people. WHO estimates there could be up to 4 million cases of Zika in the Americas in the next year. The Associated Press contributed to this report. http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/New-Zika-virus-cases-confirmed-in-Houston-area-6799061.php

3 more cases of Zika virus confirmed in Harris County; brings total cases to 7 in Houston area4th confirmed case of Zika virus in greater Houston area; 3rd in city of HoustonBy Click2Houston.com StaffPosted: 3:37 PM, February 01, 2016Updated: 4:06 PM, February 01, 2016116 Twitter 116HOUSTON - Three more cases of the Zika virus have been confirmed in Harris County, according to Health Department officials. These cases bring the total number of patients in Harris County who contracted the virus to four. Three other cases are confirmed in the city of Houston, bringing the total number of cases in the Houston metropolitan area to seven. More News HeadlinesWHO declares Zika virus international emergencyCDC confirms 6 cases of Zika virus in Texas3rd confirmed case of Zika virus in greater Houston area; 2nd in city of HoustonFive things you need to know about ZikaZika virus: Ways you can helpUnited, American offering refunds for travel to Zika areas22 destinations with Zika virus outbreaks on CDC travel warning listZika virus comes to Houston, health officials sayWHO leader says Zika virus is 'spreading explosively'Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services said Monday that the three new patients had all recently traveled to Latin America. All four of the patients in the county cases have since recovered. The latest city of Houston case is a female patient between 40 and 45 years old. She traveled to Honduras in December and returned to the Houston area. She recently started feeling ill. On Friday, health officials confirmed that a man traveled to Honduras in December and tested positive for the virus. The man was between 35 and 39 years old. His condition is not known. "The only risk factor we have right now for Zika is foreign travel to where it is an epidemic,” said Kathy Barton, the spokesperson for the Houston Health Department. “For most of us, that is Central and South America. We don't have any local transmission going on here. Although at some point we could. But it's not happening yet.” KPRC 2 first told you back on Jan. 11 about a case of the virus in Harris County. In that case, a local traveler who recently returned from Latin America contracted the virus. The city said Thursday that a woman, between the ages of 55 and 60 years old, is recovering from the Zika virus. The head of the World Health Organization said Thursday that the Zika virus "is now spreading explosively." "The level of concern is high, as is the level of uncertainty," WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan told her organization's executive board members. "We need to get some answers, quickly." The mosquito-borne disease is now in "23 countries and territories in the region," according to Chan. While it's been around in some form for decades, alarms have been raised only recently about Zika's suspected connection with "birth malformations and neurological symptoms." Officials are discouraging travel to 22 infected areas, including Puerto Rico, for pregnant women and women off birth control, a warning which may last a couple years. "This particular virus is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. So the mosquito bites an infected person and goes to its next meal and infects that person. We don't have active transmission going on here in Houston though. All the cases we have seen have been imported from Central and South America.” Barton added. Baylor College of Medicine Dean for the National School of Tropical Medicine, Dr. Peter Hotez said we are at a disadvantage because of the mosquitoes in Houston. "It's one of the only places in the U.S. that has both kinds of mosquitoes that can transmit Zika virus and it's another reason why I think Houston and the Gulf Coast is uniquely vulnerable when talking about Zika coming into the country," Hotez said. He said by the end of February, he thinks most Caribbean countries are going to be affected. Harris County Health and Environmental Services said they're not on alert yet. During the colder months, they're not spraying and say they haven't seen many mosquitoes with any kind of disease, but discourage people from keeping stagnant water around homes. Hotez said it poses a bigger threat to areas in poverty. "Why is that? Well, I think it's probably because when you live in poor quality housing, you'll see windows without screens on them or a lot of holes in the screens, they won't have air conditioning or they'll have box like air conditioning that the mosquitoes can get in and around," Hotez said. Texas Children's Hospital said they are monitoring patients even if they don't show symptoms. Symptoms can include: fever, headache, rash and joint pain. 80 percent of people feel no symptoms. It's transmitted when a mosquito bites an infected person and the mosquito carries it to another person. It is not transmitted from person to person. http://www.click2houston.com/news/4th-confirmed-case-of-zika-virus-in-greater-houston-area

Media reports cite Three More Zika Confirmed Cases In Houston Area http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/New-Zika-virus-cases-confirmed-in-Houston-area-6799061.php

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COCA - Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (Subscribers) UpdateCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sent this bulletin at 02/01/2016 11:00 AM ESTThe following CDC Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory message was issued February 1, 2016. You are receiving this information because you subscribe to COCA email updates. If a colleague forwarded this email to you, yet you would like to receive future updates directly from COCA, click here. If you have any questions on this or other clinical issues, please e-mail [email protected] On behalf of the Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Join us on Facebook This is an official CDC HEALTH ADVISORY Distributed via the CDC Health Alert Network February 1, 2016, 0850 EST (8:50 AM EST) CDCHAN-00387 Flu Season Begins: Severe Influenza Illness Reported CDC urges rapid antiviral treatment of very ill and high risk suspect influenza patients without waiting for testing Summary Influenza activity is increasing across the country and CDC has received reports of severe influenza illness. Clinicians are reminded to treat suspected influenza in high-risk outpatients, those with progressive disease, and all hospitalized patients with antiviral medications as soon as possible, regardless of negative rapid influenza diagnostic test (RIDT) results and without waiting for RT-PCR testing results. Early antiviral treatment works best, but treatment may offer benefit when started up to 4-5 days after symptom onset in hospitalized patients. Early antiviral treatment can reduce influenza morbidity and mortality. Since October 2015, CDC has detected co-circulation of influenza A(H3N2), A(H1N1)pdm09, and influenza B viruses. However, H1N1pdm09 viruses have predominated in recent weeks. CDC has received recent reports of severe respiratory illness among young- to middle-aged adults with H1N1pdm09 virus infection, some of whom required intensive care unit (ICU) admission; fatalities have been reported. Some of these patients reportedly tested negative for influenza by RIDT; their influenza diagnosis was made later with molecular assays. Most of these patients were reportedly unvaccinated. H1N1pdm09 virus infection in the past has caused severe illness in some children and young- and middle-aged adults. Clinicians should continue efforts to vaccinate patients this season for as long as influenza viruses are circulating, and promptly start antiviral treatment of severely ill and high-risk patients if influenza is suspected or confirmed. Recommendations Clinicians should encourage all patients who have not yet received an influenza vaccine this season to be vaccinated against influenza. This recommendation is for patients 6 months of age and older. There are several influenza vaccine options for the 2015-2016 influenza season (see http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6430a3.htm ), and all available vaccine formulations this season contain A(H3N2), A(H1N1)pdm09, and B virus strains. CDC does not recommend one influenza vaccine formulation over another.Clinicians should encourage all persons with influenza-like illness who are at high risk for influenza complications (see list below) to seek care promptly to determine if treatment with influenza antiviral medications is warranted.Decisions about starting antiviral treatment should not wait for laboratory confirmation of influenza. Clinicians using RIDTs to inform treatment decisions should use caution in interpreting negative RIDT results. These tests, defined here as rapid antigen detection tests using immunoassays or immunofluorescence assays, have a high potential for false negative results. Antiviral treatment should not be withheld from patients with suspected influenza, even if they test negative by RIDT; initiation of empiric antiviral therapy, if warranted, should not be delayed.CDC guidelines for influenza antiviral use during 2015-16 season are the same as during prior seasons (see http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/antivirals/summary-clinicians.htm).When indicated, antiviral treatment should be started as soon as possible after illness onset, ideally within 48 hours of symptom onset. Clinical benefit is greatest when antiviral treatment is administered early. However, antiviral treatment might still be beneficial in patients with severe, complicated, or progressive illness, and in hospitalized patients and in some outpatients when started after 48 hours of illness onset, as indicated by clinical and observational studies.Treatment with an appropriate neuraminidase inhibitor antiviral drugs (oral oseltamivir, inhaled zanamivir, or intravenous peramivir) is recommended as early as possible for any patient with confirmed or suspected influenza whois hospitalized;has severe, complicated, or progressive illness; oris at higher risk for influenza complications. This list includes:children aged younger than 2 years;adults aged 65 years and older;persons with chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension alone), renal, hepatic, hematological (including sickle cell disease), metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus), or neurologic and neurodevelopment conditions (including disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and muscle such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy [seizure disorders], stroke, intellectual disability [mental retardation], moderate to severe developmental delay, muscular dystrophy, or spinal cord injury);persons with immunosuppression, including that caused by medications or by HIV infection;women who are pregnant or postpartum (within 2 weeks after delivery);persons aged younger than 19 years who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy;American Indians/Alaska Natives;persons who are morbidly obese (i.e., body-mass index is equal to or greater than 40); andresidents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities.Antiviral treatment can also be considered for suspected or confirmed influenza in previously healthy, symptomatic outpatients not at high risk on the basis of clinical judgment, especially if treatment can be initiated within 48 hours of illness onset.Clinical judgment, on the basis of the patient’s disease severity and progression, age, underlying medical conditions, likelihood of influenza, and time since onset of symptoms, is important when making antiviral treatment decisions for outpatients.While influenza vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza, a history of influenza vaccination does not rule out influenza virus infection in an ill patient with clinical signs and symptoms compatible with influenza. Vaccination status should not impede the initiation of prompt antiviral treatment.Background Seasonal influenza contributes to substantial morbidity and mortality each year in the United States. In the most recent influenza season—the 2014-2015 season—CDC estimates that there were approximately 19 million influenza-associated medical visits and 970,000 influenza-associated hospitalizations [1]. The spectrum of illness observed thus far during the 2015-2016 season has ranged from mild to severe and is consistent with that of other influenza seasons. Although influenza activity nationally is low compared to this time last season, it is increasing; and some localized areas of the United States are already experiencing high activity. Further increases are expected in the coming weeks. Typically, influenza seasons begin with increases in influenza-like-illness and the percent of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza in clinical laboratories. Those indicators are rising at this time. Increases in severity indicators tend to lag behind. At this time, national surveillance systems that track severity are not elevated, but CDC will continue to watch for indications of increased severity from influenza virus infection this season. Laboratory data so far show that most circulating flu viruses are still like the viruses recommended for the 2015-2016 influenza vaccines. CDC will continue to monitor circulating influenza viruses for changes that might impact vaccine effectiveness and publish these data weekly in FluView (http:/www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/summary.htm). CDC also is conducting epidemiologic field studies to determine vaccine effectiveness this season. For more information: Summary of Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report (http:/www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/summary.htm)People at High Risk of Developing Flu–Related Complications (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/high_risk.htm)Clinical Signs and Symptoms of Influenza (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/acip/clinical.htm)ACIP Recommendations for the Prevention and Control of Influenza with Vaccines, United States, 2015-16: Summary for Clinicians (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6430a3.htm)Influenza Antiviral Medications: Summary for Clinicians (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/antivirals/summary-clinicians.htm)Guidance for Clinicians on the Use of Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Tests (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/diagnosis/clinician_guidance_ridt.htm)Prevention Strategies for Seasonal Influenza in Healthcare Settings (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/infectioncontrol/healthcaresettings.htm)Guidance for the Prevention and Control of Influenza in the Peri- and Postpartum Settings (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/infectioncontrol/peri-post-settings.htm)Interim Guidance for Influenza Outbreak Management in Long-Term Care Facilities (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/infectioncontrol/ltc-facility-guidance.htm)Patient Education: Influenza Brochures, Fact Sheets, and Posters (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/index.htm)Endnotes Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Estimated influenza illnesses and hospitalizations averted by influenza vaccination - United States, 2014-15 influenza season. (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/2014-15.htm) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protects people's health and safety by preventing and controlling diseases and injuries; enhances health decisions by providing credible information on critical health issues; and promotes healthy living through strong partnerships with local, national, and international organizations.

CDC Issues H1N1pdm09 Health Advisory http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USCDC/bulletins/133aa4b

WHO Director-General summarizes the outcome of the Emergency Committee on ZikaWHO statement on the first meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee on Zika virus and observed increase in neurological disorders and neonatal malformations 1 February 2016 I convened an Emergency Committee, under the International Health Regulations, to gather advice on the severity of the health threat associated with the continuing spread of Zika virus disease in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Committee met today by teleconference. In assessing the level of threat, the 18 experts and advisers looked in particular at the strong association, in time and place, between infection with the Zika virus and a rise in detected cases of congenital malformations and neurological complications. The experts agreed that a causal relationship between Zika infection during pregnancy and microcephaly is strongly suspected, though not yet scientifically proven. All agreed on the urgent need to coordinate international efforts to investigate and understand this relationship better. The experts also considered patterns of recent spread and the broad geographical distribution of mosquito species that can transmit the virus. The lack of vaccines and rapid and reliable diagnostic tests, and the absence of population immunity in newly affected countries were cited as further causes for concern. After a review of the evidence, the Committee advised that the recent cluster of microcephaly cases and other neurological disorders reported in Brazil, following a similar cluster in French Polynesia in 2014, constitutes an “extraordinary event” and a public health threat to other parts of the world. In their view, a coordinated international response is needed to minimize the threat in affected countries and reduce the risk of further international spread. Members of the Committee agreed that the situation meets the conditions for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. I have accepted this advice. I am now declaring that the recent cluster of microcephaly cases and other neurological disorders reported in Brazil, following a similar cluster in French Polynesia in 2014, constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. A coordinated international response is needed to improve surveillance, the detection of infections, congenital malformations, and neurological complications, to intensify the control of mosquito populations, and to expedite the development of diagnostic tests and vaccines to protect people at risk, especially during pregnancy. The Committee found no public health justification for restrictions on travel or trade to prevent the spread of Zika virus. At present, the most important protective measures are the control of mosquito populations and the prevention of mosquito bites in at-risk individuals, especially pregnant women. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2016/emergency-committee-zika-microcephaly/en/

Audio http://terrance.who.int/mediacentre/presser/WHO-RUSH_Zika_virus_Emergency_committee_presser_01FEB2016.mp3

WHO statement on the first meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR 2005) Emergency Committee on Zika virus and observed increase in neurological disorders and neonatal malformationsWHO statement 1 February 2016 The first meeting of the Emergency Committee (EC) convened by the Director-General under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR 2005) regarding clusters of microcephaly cases and other neurologic disorders in some areas affected by Zika virus was held by teleconference on 1 February 2016, from 13:10 to 16:55 Central European Time. The WHO Secretariat briefed the Committee on the clusters of microcephaly and Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) that have been temporally associated with Zika virus transmission in some settings. The Committee was provided with additional data on the current understanding of the history of Zika virus, its spread, clinical presentation and epidemiology. The following States Parties provided information on a potential association between microcephaly and/or neurological disorders and Zika virus disease: Brazil, France, United States of America, and El Salvador. The Committee advised that the recent cluster of microcephaly cases and other neurologic disorders reported in Brazil, following a similar cluster in French Polynesia in 2014, constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The Committee provided the following advice to the Director-General for her consideration to address the PHEIC (clusters of microcephaly and neurologic disorders) and their possible association with Zika virus, in accordance with IHR (2005). Microcephaly and neurologic disordersSurveillance for microcephaly and GBS should be standardized and enhanced, particularly in areas of known Zika virus transmission and areas at risk of such transmission.Research into the etiology of new clusters of microcephaly and neurologic disorders should be intensified to determine whether there is a causative link to Zika virus and/or other factors or co-factors.As these clusters have occurred in areas newly infected with Zika virus, and in keeping with good public health practice and the absence of another explanation for these clusters, the Committee highlights the importance of aggressive measures to reduce infection with Zika virus, particularly among pregnant women and women of childbearing age. As a precautionary measure, the Committee made the following additional recommendations:Zika virus transmissionSurveillance for Zika virus infection should be enhanced, with the dissemination of standard case definitions and diagnostics to at-risk areas.The development of new diagnostics for Zika virus infection should be prioritized to facilitate surveillance and control measures.Risk communications should be enhanced in countries with Zika virus transmission to address population concerns, enhance community engagement, improve reporting, and ensure application of vector control and personal protective measures.Vector control measures and appropriate personal protective measures should be aggressively promoted and implemented to reduce the risk of exposure to Zika virus.Attention should be given to ensuring women of childbearing age and particularly pregnant women have the necessary information and materials to reduce risk of exposure.Pregnant women who have been exposed to Zika virus should be counselled and followed for birth outcomes based on the best available information and national practice and policies.Longer-term measuresAppropriate research and development efforts should be intensified for Zika virus vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.In areas of known Zika virus transmission health services should be prepared for potential increases in neurological syndromes and/or congenital malformations.Travel measuresThere should be no restrictions on travel or trade with countries, areas and/or territories with Zika virus transmission.Travellers to areas with Zika virus transmission should be provided with up to date advice on potential risks and appropriate measures to reduce the possibility of exposure to mosquito bites.Standard WHO recommendations regarding disinsection of aircraft and airports should be implemented.Data sharingNational authorities should ensure the rapid and timely reporting and sharing of information of public health importance relevant to this PHEIC.Clinical, virologic and epidemiologic data related to the increased rates of microcephaly and/or GBS, and Zika virus transmission, should be rapidly shared with WHO to facilitate international understanding of the these events, to guide international support for control efforts, and to prioritize further research and product development.Based on this advice the Director-General declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on 1 February 2016. The Director-General endorsed the Committee’s advice and issued them as Temporary Recommendations under IHR (2005). The Director-General thanked the Committee Members and Advisors for their advice. For further information please contact:Gregory Hartl Telephone: +41 22 791 4458 Mobile: +41 79 203 6715 E-mail: [email protected] Christian Lindmeier Telephone: +41 22 791 1948 Mobile: +41 79 5006552 E-mail: [email protected] Tarik Jasarevic Telephone: +41 22 791 5099 Mobile: +41 79 367 6214 E-mail: [email protected] http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2016/1st-emergency-committee-zika/en/

Zika virus: WHO declares global emergencyBy Michelle RobertsHealth editor, BBC News online16 minutes ago From the sectionHealthImage copyrightEuropean Press AgencyZika virusZika outbreak: What you need to knowZika outbreak: Travel adviceZika outbreak: The perfect mosquitoVideo How mums-to-be are tackling ZikaZika poses a global public health emergency requiring an urgent, united response, says the World Health Organization. Experts are worried that the virus is spreading far and fast, with devastating consequences. The infection has been linked to thousands of babies being born with underdeveloped brains. The WHO alert puts Zika in the same category of international concern as Ebola. It means research and aid will be fast-tracked to tackle the infection. WHO director general, Margaret Chan called Zika an "extraordinary event" that needed a coordinated response. "I am now declaring that the recent cluster of microcephaly and other neurological abnormalities reported in Latin America following a similar cluster in French Polynesia in 2014 constitutes a public health emergency of international concern." She said the priorities were to protect pregnant women and their babies from harm and to control the mosquitoes that are spreading the virus. She advised pregnant women: to consider delaying travel to areas affected by Zikaseek advice from their physician if they are living in areas affected by Zika, as well as protect themselves against mosquito bites by wearing repellentDr Chan justified declaring an emergency even amid uncertainties about the disease, saying now was not the time to wait. The WHO faced heavy criticism for waiting too long to declare the Ebola outbreak a public emergency. Stopping ZikaCurrently, there is no vaccine or medication to stop Zika. The only way to avoid catching it is to avoid getting bitten by the Aedes mosquitoes that transmit the infection. The WHO has already warned that Zika is likely to "spread explosively" across nearly all of the Americas. More than 20 countries, including Brazil, are reporting cases. Most infections are mild and cause few or no symptoms, although there have been some reported cases of a rare paralysis disorder called Guillain-Barre syndrome. The bigger health threat though is believed to be in pregnancy, to the unborn child. There have been around 4,000 reported cases of microcephaly - babies born with small brains - in Brazil alone since October. Dr Jeremy Farrar, Director of the Wellcome Trust, said: "There is a long road ahead. As with Ebola, Zika has once again exposed the world's vulnerability to emerging infectious diseases and the devastation they can unleash. Alongside the emergency response that Zika necessitates, we must put in place the permanent reforms, health systems strengthening and proactive research agenda that are needed to make the global health system more resilient to the threat of future pandemics." http://www.bbc.com/news/health-35459797

TwitterFacebookLinkedInEmailPrint The rapid increase in the number of severe birth defects possibly tied to the Zika virus constitutes a global health emergency, the World Health Organization declared Monday, as it called for a global coordinated response to learn more about the situation. Following the advice of an emergency committee of 18 outside experts, the agency’s director, Dr. Margaret Chan, said the surge in Zika-related cases meets the criteria to be declared a “public health emergency of international concern.” Chan said the gathered experts agreed there appears a causal relationship between the Zika virus outbreak and an increase in cases of serious birth defects and a neurological condition called Guillain-Barré syndrome. That link is not yet proven, the panel said. “We need a coordinated international response to make sure we get to the bottom of this,” Chan said at a news conference telecast from WHO headquarters in Geneva. The Zika virus, once thought to be a wimpy cousin of the more severe dengue and chikungunya viruses, has gained global attention in recent weeks. The reason: Health authorities in Brazil reported that country was experiencing a surge in cases of babies born with abnormally small heads, a condition calledmicrocephaly. They said they believe the increase was due to the Zika outbreak that has swept through parts of Brazil starting last May. The theory is that infection during pregnancy can in some cases induce microcephaly. Several other viruses — notably rubella (German measles) and cytomegalovirus — are known to sometimes trigger this birth defect. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention took theextraordinary step last month of urging women who are pregnant not to travel to locations where Zika virus is spreading. Several other countries — Canada and Britain among them — followed suit. And a number of affected countries in Latin America arerecommending that women delay pregnancy — advice that advocacy groups have denounced as unworkable in countries where access to contraceptives may be limited and where abortions are outlawed. Read more: What you should know about the birth defect tied to Zika virusIn addition to microcephaly, there is growing evidence that the Zika outbreak in the Americas — now involving about two dozen countries and territories — may be triggering a rise in the number of cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome, which causes progressive and generally temporary paralysis. The WHO has been under pressure to ratchet up its response to the Zika virus outbreak, with global health and international health law experts saying the event warrants being declared a public health emergency. Read more: ‘Alarming’ spread of Zika virus spurs global emergency responseThe virus was first discovered in 1947 in the Zika Forest of Uganda. It has been studied little, however, because it was not seen as a widespread threat to humans. Four out of five people infected show no symptoms and those who do experience something like the flu — fever and achy muscles and joints. People who contract Zika may also develop a raised red rash and-or conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye. This is the fourth time since the International Health Regulationswere revised in 2005 that the WHO has declared a global public health emergency. The previous events were: the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic; the polio eradication effort in May 2014; and West Africa’s devastating Ebola outbreak in August, 2014. An emergency committee was convened to assess and monitor the ongoing outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome or MERS. It has met 10 times, each time concluding the MERS outbreak does not constitute a global public health emergency. Helen Branswell can be reached at [email protected] Follow Helen on Twitter @HelenBranswell

BREAKING NEWS: Zika virus outbreak IS a 'global public health emergency', says World Health OrganisationIt follows an emergency meeting of independent experts in GenevaWHO fears this year's El Nino could cause the Zika virus to spread further The Americas are expected to see four millions cases of disease this year Virus, which causes brain defects in babies, has spread to 23 countriesSee more news on the Zika virus at www.dailymail.co.uk/zikavirus By DAILY MAIL REPORTER and PRESS ASSOCIATION PUBLISHED: 20:27 EST, 31 January 2016 | UPDATED: 13:46 EST, 1 February 2016 590shares196 View comments The zika virus outbreak should be considered a 'public health emergency of international concern', the World Health Organisation has warned. The global health body made its decision after an emergency meeting in Geneva to discuss the 'explosive' nature of the virus. WHO officials have predicted that as many as four million people could be infected with the virus this year. The last time a global emergency was declared was for the Ebola outbreak, which is thought to have led to more than 11,000 deaths. The designation was recommended by a committee of independent experts to the United Nations agency, following criticism of a hesitant response so far. The move should help fast-track international action and research priorities. +13Alice Bezerra, who has microcephaly, is held by her mother Nadja Cristina Gomes Bezerra in Recife, Brazil +13 The WHO has set up an International Health Regulations Emergency Committee to examine Zika and will meet on Monday to decide whether it constitutes a global emergency on the scale of Ebola The UN health agency warned last week that the mosquito-borne disease was 'spreading explosively' in the Americas, with the region expected to see up to four million cases this year. Experts also fear the warm weather system El Nino will fuel the outbreak by increasing the mosquito population. Brazil sounded the alarm in October, when a rash of microcephaly cases, a devastating condition in which a baby is born with an abnormally small head and brain, emerged in the northeast. Since then, there have been 270 confirmed cases and 3,448 suspected cases, up from 147 in 2014. There are also growing fears for the Rio Olympics in August, with female athletes saying they may not compete over concerns of contracting the illness. There are fears that the virus - which has spread to 23 countries - is being passed to humans via the common mosquito, as some say El Nino is playing a factor into the rapid spread of it. RELATED ARTICLESPrevious1NextGirls told to eat fruit to beat breast cancer: Fibre from...Two women arrested as police remove three young children...SHARE THIS ARTICLEShareZika has been linked to thousands of babies being born with underdeveloped brains in Brazil. Women in Britain have been warned by Public Health England (PHE) to consider avoiding travel to areas where Zika is active. In a briefing to the WHO's executive board, WHO director-general Margaret Chan said the organization was 'deeply concerned'. She said the virus was 'spreading explosively' through the Americas and 'the level of alarm is extremely high'. 'Arrival of the virus in some places has been associated with a steep increase in the birth of babies with abnormally small heads and in cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome,' Chan stated. 'A causal relationship between Zika virus infection and birth malformations and neurological syndromes has not yet been established, but is strongly suspected. 'The possible links, only recently suspected, have rapidly changed the risk profile of Zika, from a mild threat to one of alarming proportions. 'The increased incidence of microcephaly is particularly alarming, as it places a heart-breaking burden on families and communities.' Chan said the WHO was concerned there could be potential for further international spread of the virus, and was worried about the lack of immunity to the virus in newly-affected areas. Known US Zika infections 'took place outside United States' Loaded: 0%Progress: 0%00:00PlayMute Current Time0:00/Duration Time1:44FullscreenNeed Text +13In the last four months, authorities have recorded close to 4,000 cases in Brazil in which the mosquito-borne Zika virus may have led to microcephaly in infants At present, there are no vaccines, specific treatments or rapid diagnostic tests for it, she added. Weather conditions associated with this year's El Nino are also expected to increase the mosquito population in many areas, she said. 'Meteorological factors certainly play an important role in determining the global range of the virus-transmitting Aedes (aegypti species of) mosquitoes and how competently they can transmit a virus,' Andrew Monaghan, a research scientist at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, told CNN. El Nino typically brings warmer temperatures and shifting precipitation patterns to South America while creating conditions that can help mosquito populations and the diseases they carry to thrive, CNN reported. According to the United Nations, El Nino can cause an 'increase in vector-borne diseases including dengue, chikungunya and Zika virus due to increased mosquito vectors.' On Wednesday, Dr Dipti Patel, director at National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC), said: 'All travelers, especially pregnant women going to an area with active Zika virus transmission should ensure they seek travel health advice from their GP or a travel clinic well in advance of their trip and consult the NaTHNaC website for up to date information on current outbreaks and country information. 'We strongly advise all travelers to avoid mosquito bites and urge pregnant women to consider avoiding travel to areas reporting active Zika transmission. 'If travel to these areas is unavoidable, or they live in areas where Zika virus transmission is occurring, they should take scrupulous insect bite avoidance measures both during daytime and night-time hours.' The growing international health emergency around Zika could scare athletes and fans from coming to South America's first Olympics as organizers prepare for hundreds of thousands of visitors. Amid growing concerns, athletes say they are considering staying away from the Games. +13Cuba's gold medalist Lisette Hechevarria (left) competes with Brazil's Aline Silva, IN the women's wrestling Greco-Roman 72 kg at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, IN 2011. Silva has had the dengue fever twice. She says she's not taking any chances with the Zika virus and may miss the Rio Games in August +13United States wrestler Adeline Gray celebrates her gold medal win at the Pan Am Games in Mississauga, Ontario, last year. Gray, a three-time world champion who will be an Olympic favorite for gold in 2016, raised the issue of Zika's link to birth defects and cases of babies being born with unusually small heads Brazilian wrestler Aline Silva, who hopes to win a medal, has had the dengue fever twice and says she's not taking any chances with the Zika virus. At a test event yesterday for the games, at a venue in Rio's new Olympic Park, she wasn't alone in being concerned. Several non-Brazilian athletes talked about slathering on mosquito repellent, staying in their hotel rooms and away from the water and the beaches in order to avoid mosquitoes. 'For me it's very worrying,' said Silva, who said she applies repellent about every 90 minutes when she's away from home. 'Really, the biggest problem is in training and competing - when I can't use it (repellent),' she said. 'I have had dengue twice, so I am aware about all of this. Maybe I am more worried than most.' Asked if other Brazilian athletes were concerned about Zika, Silva replied: 'Yes, of course.' American wrestler Adeline Gray, a three-time world champion who will be an Olympic favourite for gold, raised the issue of Zika's link to birth defects and cases of babies being born with unusually small heads and possible brain damage. 'I think if I was planning to have a child next month, I would be extremely uneasy about this,' said Gray, who competes in the 75-kilogram class. 'Maybe that would have changed my decision (to come here).' Gray said her coaches have banned her from going swimming in Brazil during her short stay. 'Unfortunately we're not spending too much time outside. We're wearing long sleeves, long pants and just making sure we have on as much bug spray as we can.' Japan coach Shigeo Kinase gave similar advice to his wrestlers about staying indoors. 'We are trying not to leave the hotel too often,' he said. 'If my athletes go out shopping, I go with them.' +13At present, there are no vaccines, specific treatments or rapid diagnostic tests for it. Above a city worker in Santa Tecla, El Salvador fumigates a neighbourhood on January 29 +13Zika virus is common in parts of Africa and South East Asia, but since 2007 there have been various outbreaks outside of the disease's comfort zone. It spread to South America in 2014, before reaching Mexico and the Caribbean last year. The first US case was reported in Texas at the start of January +13 Rio organisers have been scouring Olympics venues daily for two weeks, looking for standing water where mosquitoes breed. Rio spokesman Mario Andrada said the inspections would continue daily until the games open on August 5. That will be in Brazil's winter when it's cooler, drier and the mosquito population is smaller. Andrada emphasized that no one is publicly talking about cancelling or postponing the games. 'This has never been mentioned. No way,' Andrada said. 'It's impossible to do that. There is no reason to do that.' Since the start of the outbreak in 2015, five UK travelers have been diagnosed with the Zika virus. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised pregnant women to reconsider travel to Brazil and 21 other countries with Zika outbreaks over fears about microcephaly. Symptoms of infection may include fever, joint pain, itching, rash, conjunctivitis or red eyes, headache, muscle pain and eye pain. The WHO predicts three to four million people will be infected with Zika in the Americas this year. Most will not suffer from their symptoms. The last time a global emergency was declared was for the Ebola outbreak, which is thought to have led to more than 11,000 deaths. +13According to the United Nations , El Nino can cause an 'increase in vector-borne diseases including dengue, chikungunya and Zika virus due to increased mosquito vectors.' Above a worker fumigates a neighborhood in Managua, Nicaragua on January 28 +13Officials have advised pregnant women to consider avoiding traveling to areas reporting active Zika transmission. City workers fumigate the Jardines de Merliot neighborhood as part of preventive measures against the Zika virus in Santa Tecla, El Salvador Dr Carissa Etienne, the regional director for the WHO Pan American Health Organisation, said the link between problems in babies and Zika had not yet been confirmed. But she added: 'We cannot tolerate the prospect of more babies being born with neurological and other malformations and more people facing the threat of paralysis.' Rio de Janeiro is the host city for the 2016 Olympic Games in August. Earlier, Brazilian experts at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation said the virus - which was thought to be confined to the Aedes aegypti mosquito in the tropics - may have already crossed over to the culex mosquito, a much more common type. U.S. President Barack Obama spoke on Friday with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff about the spread of the Zika virus in the Western Hemisphere, the White House said. 'The leaders agreed on the importance of collaborative efforts to deepen our knowledge, advance research, and accelerate work to develop better vaccines and other technologies to control the virus,' the White House said in a statement. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ZIKA WHAT IS ZIKA? The Zika (ZEE'-ka) virus was first discovered in monkey in Uganda in 1947 - its name comes from the Zika forest where it was first discovered. It is native mainly to tropical Africa, with outbreaks in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. It appeared in Brazil last year and has since been seen in many Latin American countries and Caribbean islands. HOW IS IT SPREAD? It is transmitted through bites from the same kind of mosquitoes that can spread other tropical diseases, like dengue fever, chikungunya and yellow fever. It is not known to spread from person to person. Investigators, though, are exploring the possibility that the virus can be passed on through sex - it was found in one man's semen in Tahiti and there's been another report of possible spread of the virus through sex. +13 An Aedes Aegypti mosquito on human skin in a lab in Cali, Colombia. Scientists there are studying the genetics and biology of this mosquito, which transmits the Zika virus +13 The World Health Organisation says Zika is rapidly spreading in the Americas because it is new to the region and people are not immune to it. Furthermore, the Aedes aegypti mosquito (pictured) that carries it is just extremely widespread The World Health Organisation says Zika is rapidly spreading in the Americas because it is new to the region, people aren't immune to it, and the Aedes aegypti mosquito that carries it is just about everywhere - including along the southern United States. Canada and Chile are the only places without this mosquito. ARE THERE SYMPTOMS? Experts think most people infected with Zika virus don't get sick. And those that do usually develop mild symptoms - fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes - which usually last no more than a week. There is no specific medicine and there hasn't been a vaccine developed for it, which is the case for some other tropical illnesses that cause periodic outbreaks. GLAXO CONSIDERING USING VACCINE TECHNOLOGY FOR ZIKAGlaxoSmithKline Plc is concluding feasibility studies evaluating whether its vaccine technology is suitable for the Zika virus, a spokeswoman has confirmed. There is no vaccine or treatment for Zika, which typically causes mild fevers and rashes, although about 80 percent of those infected show no symptoms. 'We're concluding our feasibility studies as quickly as we can to see if our vaccine technology platforms might be suitable for working on Zika,' a Glaxo spokeswoman said in an email. She declined to provide details but added that vaccine development typically takes 10 to 15 years. WHY IS IT A CONCERN NOW? In Brazil, there has been mounting evidence linking Zika infection in pregnant women to a rare birth defect called microcephaly, in which a newborn's head is smaller than normal and the brain may not have developed properly. Brazilian health officials last October noticed a spike in cases of microcephaly in tandem with the Zika outbreak. The connection to Zika is still being investigated, and officials note there are many causes of the condition. Nearly 4,000 cases have been recorded. Meanwhile, doctors have noted increased reports of a nerve condition called Guillain-Barre that can cause paralysis. But the link to the Zika virus is not clear; other infections can spark the problem, including dengue fever. CAN THE SPREAD BE STOPPED? Individuals can protect themselves from mosquito bites by using insect repellents, and wearing long sleeves and long pants - especially during daylight, when the mosquitoes tend to be most active, health officials say. Eliminating breeding spots and controlling mosquito populations can help prevent the spread of the virus. HAVE THERE BEEN CASES IN THE US? Yes, but in tourists. Since 2007 there have been more than two dozen cases diagnosed in the US all travellers who are believed to have caught it overseas. (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have each had a recent case that didn't involve a traveler.) Cause for concern as the Zika virus is expected to spread Loaded: 0%Progress: 0%00:00PlayMute Current Time0:00/Duration Time0:52FullscreenNeed Text +13 There is no vaccine or treatment for Zika, which typically causes mild fevers and rashes, although about 80 per cent of those infected show no symptoms The kind of mosquito that spreads Zika is found along the southern states, so experts think it's likely the pests may end up spreading the virus there. But officials also have said Zika infections probably won't be a big problem in the US for a number of reasons, including the more common use of air conditioning and door and window screens. Recent U.S. outbreaks of dengue and chikungunya - carried by the same mosquito - suggest any Zika outbreaks may be relatively small, said Dr. Lyle Petersen of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. WHAT ARE THE TRAVEL ADVISORIES? US health officials recommend that pregnant women should consider postponing trips to 22 destinations. Latin America: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname and Venezuela. In the Caribbean: Barbados, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Martinique, St. Martin and Puerto Rico. Also, Cape Verde, off the coast of western Africa; and Samoa in the South Pacific. In Brazil, most of the mothers who had babies with microcephaly were apparently infected during the first trimester, but there is some evidence the birth defect can occur later in the pregnancy, CDC officials say. The travel alert applies to women in any stage of pregnancy. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3425846/World-Health-Organization-deeply-concerned-explosive-spread-Zika-virus-El-Nino-increases-fears-expansion.html?ito=social-twitter_mailonline Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3425846/World-Health-Organization-deeply-concerned-explosive-spread-Zika-virus-El-Nino-increases-fears-expansion.html#ixzz3ywaLxqzN Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Zika was just declared a global health emergency — a distinction the WHO rarely usesUpdated by Julia Belluz on February 1, 2016, 1:30 p.m. ET @juliaoftoronto [email protected] TWEET SHARE (175) + Health workers walk past a draining pool in the street while fumigating in an attempt to eradicate the mosquito which transmits the Zika virus on January 28, 2016, in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil.Mario Tama/Getty Images Zika, a virus that barely bothered humans until last year, has been moving. First, it made its way from Africa to a series of tiny islands in Micronesia. Then it bounced through the Pacific Ocean to Easter Island, off the coast of Chile. From there, it was on to Brazil. Now Zika has infected people in more than 20 countries in Central and South America and the Caribbean. The mosquito-borne virus doesn't seem to harm most of its victims. But there'sincreasing evidence that it can cause serious damage to the brains of fetuses and, in rare instances, devastating neurological problems in adults. More than a million people in Brazil have already been infected with the virus, and the numbers in surrounding countries are quickly rising. There's no chance of containing Zika now — but health authorities can potentially slow its spread. Getting countries and resources focused on the Zika threat is exactly why the World Health Organization declared Zika a "public health emergency of international concern," or PHEIC, today. The WHO doesn't issue these declarations very often, and they carry a lot of political heft — as well as economic repercussions for the countries involved. Here's what you need to know. 1) What is a public health emergency of international concern? Countries with active Zika transmission. (CDC) Formally, a PHEIC is defined as "an extraordinary event which is determined to constitute a public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease and to potentially require a coordinated international response." In reality, it's a political tool that the WHO uses to sound the alarm about a serious disease that has caught the world off guard and put people's health in danger. It's meant to draw countries' immediate attention — to galvanize resources and stop the disease from spreading further across borders. 2) Who decides to declare a public health emergency? Margaret Chan, director general of the World Health Organization, announcing the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is not a public health emergency. (Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images) When there's a looming disease crisis on the horizon, the World Health Organization convenes a panel of experts under the International Health Regulations (which are a set of laws that govern global responses to pandemics involving 196 member countries). These experts — dubbed an "emergency committee" — meet and assess the risk posed by a disease outbreak and then to advise the WHO director general (Dr. Margaret Chan) about whether to declare a PHEIC. Chan then decides whether to take action. So far, she's always followed the committee's advice. 3) How often does the WHO declare these emergencies?Not very often. The WHO has only declared a public health emergency three times since the International Health Regulations were enacted in 2007. The first time was in 2009, with the outbreak of the H1N1 swine flu pandemic. The second time was in May 2014, when polio seemed to surge again, threatening the eradication effort. The third time, in August 2014, came as the Ebola outbreak in West Africa was growing out of control. Notably, the emergency committee decided not to declare the MERS virus a PHEIC. 4) Why are these declarations so rare?These decisions are not taken lightly. First, the PHEIC is a political tool used to focus the world on a health crisis. Using this declaration too often would weaken its significance. Second, one of the key considerations in declaring a PHEIC is whether the disease threat is dire enough for countries to be forced into enacting travel and trade restrictions. These can be devastating to local economies. Even if the WHO only warns people to limit or delay travel to affected regions (instead of outright travel restrictions), health emergency declarations are often associated with economic losses. Because of the Ebola crisis, the World Bank Group estimated that the West African countries at the center of the outbreak — Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone — lost out on about $1.6 billion in economic growth in 2015. Similarly, the South American countries hit by swine flu suffered economic losses ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 percent of their GDPs. 5) Beyond economic repercussions, do they have any impact?Yes and no. Naming a PHEIC doesn't mean the countries battling an outbreak will suddenly be flooded with funds and support from the WHO. In fact, one of the key problems is that many WHO member states don't have the resources available to take the measures needed to wipe out a disease threat and a public health emergency doesn't change that. We saw this very clearly with Ebola: The three worst-affected countries also happened to be some of the poorest on the planet. Despite agreeing, under the International Health Regulations, to have robust disease surveillance systems in place and systems for sharing information about outbreaks, they mostly didn't — and that's part of the reason it took months to even identify the fact that an Ebola outbreak was happening in West Africa. (You can read more about that in an article I co-authored with Vox contributor Steven Hoffman.) But as we saw with Ebola, the emergency declaration escalated media attention and global focus on the disease. It helped wake up the world to the gravity of West Africa's outbreak. It helped bring resources from wealthier countries into West Africa, and slowly the global effort got the outbreak under control. So even though there's no money directly attached to a PHEIC, it's a powerful political tool that can get a lot of other resources moving. 6) What will this health emergency mean for Latin America? A health worker fumigates to prevent dengue, chikungunya, and Zika virus, at El Angel cemetery, in Lima, Peru, Wednesday, January 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia) At the very least, a PHEIC means the WHO will closely track and monitor the disease and issue regular media updates about the outbreak. It'll draw global attention to the disease. It'll probably encourage governments and health agencies in and out of Latin America to research Zika and send resources to places that need them in order to help stop the virus from traveling further. (Brazil, a medium-size economy, may not need much help with Zika — but poorer countries in Latin America, like El Salvador, probably do.) It'll also alert other unaffected countries to keep a careful watch on Zika within their borders and take measures to reduce the risk of more outbreaks. http://www.vox.com/2016/2/1/10871562/zika-health-emergency-who

World Health Organization Declares Zika Virus A Public Health EmergencyThe move will help galvanize a coordinated international response to the virus. 02/01/2016 01:25 pm ET | Updated 1 minute ago Ryan GrenobleNews Editor, The Huffington Post Anna AlmendralaHealthy Living Senior Editor, Huffington PostThe World Health Organization has declared the Zika virus a "public health emergency of international concern." This designation, also known as PHEIC, that has only been applied to three other illnesses in the past -- most recently to Ebola during the 2014 to 2015 outbreak in West Africa. The determination, made during a February 1 meeting, is intended to mobilize an international response to combat the mosquito-spread illness, which has spread throughout Central and South America and is suspected to be the cause of a sharp rise in birth defects in Brazil. The WHO reserves the PHEIC designation for “extraordinary” events that “constitute a public health risk to other states through the international spread of disease” such that it requires “a coordinated international response.” With the announcement, the WHO has said it will scale up its surveillance of Zika in countries battling the virus, and in other countries it may spread to next. Additional emphasis will be placed on studying the virus' effects on "fetuses, children and adults" and controlling it via yet-to-be-developed vaccines and mosquito extermination efforts. WHO made the decision to declare Zika virus an international public health emergency on the advice of 11 members of an emergency committee on Zika virus, as well as eight advisors. The international group is chaired by Professor David L. Heymann, a professor of infectious disease epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Pregnant women are thought to be the most susceptible to Zika, a little-known viruswhich originated in Uganda in 1947 but was not linked to birth defects until 2015. While adults who contract Zika generally have mild symptoms like fever, rash, joint pain and headaches, officials believe it could pose a grave danger to a pregnant woman’s fetus. In Brazil, a dramatic rise in microcephaly cases -- a condition where a baby’s head and brain don’t fully develop -- has been blamed on the rapidly spreading virus. After the 2014 to 2015 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, experts criticized WHO's slow response to the epidemic. The international health agency declared the Ebola outbreak an international public health emergency in August of 2014, only after 1,000 people had died. Internal documents reveal that they not only ignored months of warnings from Doctors Without Borders, they also lagged after an April report from their own staff on the ground that the Ebola outbreak warranted the status of "global emergency." In the end, about 28,600 people contracted Ebola, and anestimated 11,300 people died. While a causal link between Zika virus and microcephaly is yet to be established, it is strongly suspected, said WHO. This story is developing... http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/world-health-org-zika-virus-emergency_us_56af781ae4b077d4fe8ec2ac

WHO Declares Zika A Public Health Emergency of International Concern