Possible Zika vaccines months away from broad trials

The World Health Organization (WHO) says a suspected link between the mosquito-borne Zika virus and microcephaly in newborn babies should be established within weeks.

The situation caused by the rapid spread of Zika led WHO to declare an global health emergency on February 1.

The WHO has reassured pregnant women in areas affected by Zika that most will give birth to “normal infants”.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says that possible Zika vaccines could be months away from broad trials.

World Health Organization leaders say the agency’s response is, quote, “proceeding very quickly”.

“Our knowledge of what is now in the pipeline tells us that it will take approximately 18 months before a vaccine can be launched into large-scale trial to demonstrate efficacy”, Ms Kieny said.

On vaccines, Kieny said it would take at least 18 months to start large-scale clinical trials of candidate shots.

Researchers in Brazil are scrambling to determine whether Zika has caused a major rise in microcephaly, or abnormally small heads in newborns, with more than 4,000 suspected cases of the condition reported to date.

New details about the possible effects of the Zika virus on the fetal brain emerged Wednesday as USA health officials say mosquito eradication here and overseas is key to protect pregnant women until they can…

The WHO also advised men and women returning from Zika-affected areas to practise safe sex “including through the correct and consistent use of condoms”, but did not specify for how long.

A gynecologist examines a rash on the arm of six-weeks pregnant Daniela Rodriguez, 19, who was diagnosed with the Zika virus at the Erasmo Meoz Hospital in Cucuta, Colombia, Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016.

Until recently Zika was thought to be relatively harmless with only 20% of infections resulting in mild, short-lived symptoms such as rash, headache and conjunctivitis.

Brazil, the hardest hit country, has recorded 1.5 million Zika cases since early 2015 and concern is mounting about the potential dangers of hosting this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.