PAHO Working With Caribbean Governments To “Prevent, Detect And Respond” To Zika Virus

WASHINGTON, DC (CMC) – The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), says it is working with Caribbean governments to “to prevent, detect and respond” to the Zika virus.

Last Friday, PAHO said starting in March 2014 and through the first week of 2016, 14 countries and territories of the Americas, including the Caribbean, have reported cases of Zika infection.

The virus, which is transmitted to humans by infected Aedes aegypti mosquitos, causes symptoms including light fever, rash, conjunctivitis and muscle pain.

The health organisation says a current concern is the effect of Zika virus on pregnant women and new-born babies.

PAHO said there is little information on transmission of the Zika virus from mother to baby during pregnancy or childbirth, stating that perinatal transmission has been reported with other vector-borne viruses, such as dengue and chikungunya.

The studies are now being conducted on possible mother-to-child transmission of the virus and its possible effects on the baby.

In November 2015, PAHO said the Ministry of Health of Brazil noted a marked increase in microcephaly, in which the head circumference of new-borns is smaller than expected.

PAHO said that discovery coincided with Zika virus circulation in the country.

With support from PAHO and other agencies, “health authorities are carrying out studies to clarify the causes, risk factors, and consequences of this increase in microcephaly,” the statement said.

PAHO said the Zika fever occurs about three to 12 days after the mosquito bites, the clinical manifestation of t he virus is often similar to dengue, also a mosquito-borne illness.

The virus was isolated for the first time in 1947 in the Zika forest in Uganda. Since then, it has remained mainly in Africa, with small and sporadic outbreaks in Asia. However, in 2007, a major epidemic was reported on the island of Yap (Micronesia), where nearly 75 percent of the population was infected.

On March 3, 2014, Chile notified PAHO that it had confirmed a case of indigenous transmission of Zika virus on Easter Island, where the virus continued to be detected until June 2014.

In May 2015, the public health authorities of Brazil confirmed the transmission of Zika virus in the northeast of the country.

Since October 2015, PAHO said other countries and territories of the Americas, including Caribbean Community (CARICOM)-member state Suriname, have reported the presence of the virus.

Treatment consists of relieving pain, fever, and any other symptom that inconveniences the patient.

According to PAHO, since the Aedes mosquito is found throughout the region, except in continental Chile and Canada, it is likely that outbreaks will occur in other countries that have not yet reported any cases.