Zika virus could infect four million people in the Americas – and has ‘explosive pandemic potential’
The Zika virus could infect up to four million people, the World Health Organisation has warned. The virus, which is strongly suspected of causing birth defects including the shrinking of foetuses’ brains and heads, has the potential to become an “explosive pandemic”, WHO also said. Mosquitoes are reportedly being transported in the tread of car tyres Mosquito-borne Zika could infect four million in America
Creeping Paralysis in South America linked to Zika
Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, and several other countries have detected more GBS cases than usual, just as French Polynesia saw a surge of GBS cases during a Zika outbreak there in 2013 and 2014, according to the World Health Organization. In Colombia, three people with Zika-associated GBS have died, and health officials are investigating six other deaths. The country typically reports 240 or so cases of GBS each year, but had 86 in just five weeks in December and January, a few months after Zika was identified in Colombia, according to the WHO. ‘I can’t move’: In Colombia, families cope with creeping paralysis tied to Zika
Zika virus pregnancy case confirmed in Spain – first in Europe
Spain has confirmed that a pregnant woman has been diagnosed with the Zika virus – the first such case in Europe. The health ministry said the woman had recently returned from Colombia, where it is believed she was infected. Zika present in Europe
Zika Lingers in Semen
The Zika virus may lurk in a man’s semen long after any symptoms of the disease disappear, experts today warned. It raises fears the disease, which is spreading through the Americas, could be spread via sexual contact. Last week, health officials in Texas confirmed the first known case of sexual transmission of Zika during this outbreak, which started early last year. Zika Lingers in Semen
Hawaii declares health emergency to fight mosquitoes carrying Zika, dengue fever
Hawaii has declared a state of emergency in a move to fight and prevent mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever and the Zika virus, which the state’s governor called a threat to public health and welfare. Hawaii Declares Health Emergency
Zika Virus now in Russia
MOSCOW – Russia’s consumer safety watchdog said on Monday the country had registered its first case of a person infected with the Zika virus, an unnamed female who had been on holiday in the Dominican Republic. Zika now in Russia