Babies with Zika virus malformations Three babies were born with malformations associated with infection with the Zika virus, and three others appear as probable cases. The most common malformation is microcephaly, but other associated complications may also occur as part of congenital zika syndrome (SZC) or congenital syndrome associated with zika. Health authorities had predicted the increase in this type of cases. Only last year, it was possible to confirm with laboratory tests the infection with this virus of 150 pregnant women. Of these, between 25% and 30% has already given birth.
Vaccine against zika is successful in mice The successful results of the first tests of the vaccine can be tested this year in humans. A zika vaccine developed by researchers in Brazil and the United States was effective in tests with laboratory mice and could be tested this year in humans, Brazilian authorities said. The successful results of the first tests of the vaccine developed jointly by researchers from the University of Texas, the National Institute of Health of the United States and the Brazilian state center for health studies Institute Evandro Chagas, were highlighted Monday in a published article In the journal Nature Medicine.
Testing for Zika Diagnosis and testing for Zika virus. To diagnose Zika, a doctor or other healthcare provider will ask about any recent travel and any signs and symptoms. A blood or urine test can confirm a Zika infection.
Starts human trial of zika vaccine Sinergium Biotech has been investigating a safe immunization against zika virus. It is expected that this year will begin tests in humans, after obtaining good results in mice in the preclinical stage. The zika virus expands throughout the region, and in the summer the countries seek to limit the circulation of the disease, transmitted by the same mosquito as dengue.
Pregnant Women How to protect yourself? Until we know more, CDC recommends special precautions for pregnant women. Do not travel to areas with Zika. If you must travel, talk to your doctor or other healthcare provider first and take steps to plan for travel.
Temperatures could accelerate the success of a Zika vaccine As warmer temperatures herald annoying mosquitoes, the researchers are feverishly working on several promising vaccines against zika, a virus known to infect humans through the bite of this insect. The speed and debilitating effects of last year's zika outbreak in the Western Hemisphere generated a race to develop a vaccine. Just over a year after this pandemic was declared a global health emergency, a group of volunteers are undergoing preliminary testing.
Questions about Zika Zika virus disease is caused by the Zika virus, which is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito (
Aedes aegypti and
Aedes albopictus). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting up to a week, and many people do not have symptoms or will have only mild symptoms. However, Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly and other severe brain defects.
Plan for Travel If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant try to not travel to areas with Zika. If you or your partner are trying to get pregnant, consider avoiding nonessential travel to areas with Zika. Talk to your doctor or other healthcare provider about your travel plans.
What health communicators can learn from Ebola Since the World Health Organisation declared Zika a global public health emergency in February of this year, much attention has been brought to bear on applying lessons learned during the Ebola crisis of 2014-15.
Best repellents against mosquitoes Experts recommendations to protect us from zika and other diseases like dengue or chikungunya, which affect most of our region, is to use mosquito repellent. This, in addition to other precautions (wear clothes that cover our arms and legs, cover water tanks or swimming pools and leave no water remaining when watering the pots), will help us to keep the Aeades aegypti, the main transmitter of these diseases , at bay.
Zika & Sexual Transmission Basics of Zika Virus and Sex transmission. Zika can be passed through sex from a person who has Zika to his or her sex partners. Sex includes vaginal, anal, oral sex, and the sharing of sex toys.
Zika Symptoms Many people infected with Zika virus won’t have symptoms or will only have mild symptoms. The most common symptoms of Zika are: Fever, Rash, Joint pain, Conjunctivitis (red eyes). Other symptoms include: Muscle pain, Headache.