Zika Virus: The New Ebola?

There are several vaccines for Ebola in trial, however, there are not even any prospect vaccines for the Zika Virus.

The explosion of the mosquito-borne Zika virus in the Americas comes as tens of thousands of people are poised to descend on Brazil later this year for the Olympics, possibly making the worldwide games a springboard to transmit the virus around the world when visitors return home. The virus has been linked to the increasing number of babies born with microcephaly, which is an unusually smaller head caused by improper brain development.

The spread of the Zika virus has health officials all over the world extremely concerned – women in El Salvador, for instance, have been urged to delay pregnancy until 2018 to avoid Zika-related complications, and the U.S.is recommending that pregnant women avoid traveling to countries now experiencing outbreaks, according to CNN.

The Aedes aegypti mosquito sub-species that carries both the Zika virus and dengue was the type targeted with genetically modified mosquitoes.

“We need to ensure that federal agencies are working closely together and with the global community to stop its rapid spread”, added Republican Ron Johnson, chairman of the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Health officials are advising pregnant women to consider postponing travel to areas where the Zika virus transmission is active.

The CDC said this week that US doctors should test newborns who show signs of the Zika virus, especially in states such as Florida, where mosquitoes are prevalent.

The Ministry also urges Moroccan citizens willing to enter the Zika-affected countries to take proper precautions to protect themselves from the mosquitoes carrying the virus, by using mosquito repellents. There is no vaccine or treatment.

While the Zika virus doesn’t seem particularly risky to the majority of the population – according to The Independent, “the most common symptoms of infection are fever, rash, joint pain and red, itchy eyes” – it’s a different story for pregnant women.

Since 2015, 31 travel-associated Zika cases have been detected in 11 USA states, Schuchat said.

The Vietnamese health authority has warned people coming from countries with the Zika virus to monitor their health for 14 days and if they develop fever to report to medical facilities. She says if you have booked a vacation with Sunwing or Trasat Holidays they will allow you to change your date but will not give a refund.

No cases were immediately confirmed in the Beaumont area. There is additional concern that aedes albopictus, the highly aggressive tiger mosquito, could become a vector for Zika virus, further expanding areas at risk.