Four confirmed cases of Zika virus in Canada – two in BC

“This may be the reason for the virus replicating faster”, said Constancia Ayres, the research coordinator of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation.

USA officials have ruled out a vaccine to protect against Zika in the next few years as concerns continue to mount about the spread of the virus. But scientists are optimistic that vaccines made for similar diseases can be adapted.

But the biggest cause for concern is that Zika may cause microcephalya-a birth defect that causes abnormally small heads and brain damage.

“The possible links, only recently suspected, have rapidly changed the risk profile of Zika, from a mild threat to one of alarming proportions”. “That’s not new for infectious diseases, but it is new for this virus”. Second the potential for further worldwide spread given the wide geographical distribution of the mosquito vector.

The U.S. Defense Department is offering voluntary relocation to pregnant employees and their beneficiaries who are stationed in affected areas. “Fourth, the absence of vaccines”. The mosquito has also been tested in the Cayman Islands, Malaysia and Panama.

NHS Secretary Ayub Sheikh told Dawn that there was no evidence that the virus had ever travelled to Pakistan and that not a single case of the Zika virus had been confirmed in the country.

Zika has hit Brazil just as it prepares to host the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on August 5-21, an event that draws hundreds of thousands of athletes, team officials and spectators. The Zika virus until past year had mostly been seen in parts of Africa and Asia.

It has been suggested when tourists return to their native countries – in the summer heat – more mosquitos might be around to spread the virus. They are all spread by mosquitoes.

The statement said that the World Health Organization and NHS had not recommended any travel or worldwide trade restrictions. It is spread by the same mosquito that spreads dengue and yellow fever. They have not issued any advice about travel, about surveillance, about mosquito control.

Until those efforts bear fruit, health officials are implementing traditional mosquito control techniques such as spraying pesticides and emptying standing water receptacles where mosquitoes breed. “We know that over 90 percent of these children will have motor and mental disabilities”, said Brazilian gynecologist Adriana Scavuzzi.

The most common symptoms of Zika virus infection are mild fever and skin rash, usually accompanied by conjunctivitis, muscle or joint pain, and general malaise that begins 2-7 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.

Brazil is seeing a wave of such birth defects.

That’s a condition in which a baby’s head is smaller than normal.

Taylor says women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, consult a health-care practitioner before travelling to a region where the virus is circulating.

“We encourage people to be aware of the travel advisories issued by the CDC and consult their healthcare providers before and after any travel to affected tropical areas, especially if the person traveling is pregnant or attempting to become pregnant”, said State Epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan.

Dr Dipti Patel, director at NaTHNaC, said: “We strongly advise all travellers to avoid mosquito bites and urge pregnant women to consider avoiding travel to areas reporting active Zika transmission”.