So ... this ZIKA virus
#1
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So ... this ZIKA virus
WHO declares global emergency over Zika virus spread
REST OF THE STORY
Thoughts?
My Daughter just got back from Puerto Rico and didnt even know about this Zika thing. But she is the type that shrugs at stuff like this, so.
GENEVA (AP) — The World Health Organization declared an international emergency on Monday over the explosive spread of the mosquito-borne Zika virus, which is linked to birth defects in the Americas, saying it is an "extraordinary event."
The U.N. health agency convened an emergency meeting of independent experts in Geneva to assess the outbreak after noting a suspicious link between Zika's arrival in Brazil last year and a surge in the number of babies born with abnormally small heads.
"After a review of the evidence, the committee advised that the clusters of microcephaly and other neurological complications constitute an extraordinary event and public health threat to other parts of the world," WHO Director-General Margaret Chan said.
WHO estimates there could be up to 4 million cases of Zika in the Americas in the next year, but no recommendations were made to restrict travel or trade.
"It is important to understand, there are several measures pregnant women can take," Chan said. "If you can delay travel and it does not affect your other family commitments, it is something they can consider.
"If they need to travel, they can get advice from their physician and take personal protective measures, like wearing long sleeves and shirts and pants and use mosquito repellent."
The last such public health emergency was declared for the devastating 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, which killed more than 11,000 people. A similar declaration was made for polio the year before.
The U.N. health agency convened an emergency meeting of independent experts in Geneva to assess the outbreak after noting a suspicious link between Zika's arrival in Brazil last year and a surge in the number of babies born with abnormally small heads.
"After a review of the evidence, the committee advised that the clusters of microcephaly and other neurological complications constitute an extraordinary event and public health threat to other parts of the world," WHO Director-General Margaret Chan said.
WHO estimates there could be up to 4 million cases of Zika in the Americas in the next year, but no recommendations were made to restrict travel or trade.
"It is important to understand, there are several measures pregnant women can take," Chan said. "If you can delay travel and it does not affect your other family commitments, it is something they can consider.
"If they need to travel, they can get advice from their physician and take personal protective measures, like wearing long sleeves and shirts and pants and use mosquito repellent."
The last such public health emergency was declared for the devastating 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, which killed more than 11,000 people. A similar declaration was made for polio the year before.
Spoiler:
Thoughts?
My Daughter just got back from Puerto Rico and didnt even know about this Zika thing. But she is the type that shrugs at stuff like this, so.
#2
DVD Talk God
Re: So ... this ZIKA virus
I've followed it a bit. From what I've read it could fairly easily spread as far south as Chile and as far north as Canada.
Honestly, I don't think it is that big of a deal. A far bigger deal is our germs getting serious resistance to our drugs. We are literally in a race to get gene therapy working before our antibiotics stop working.
Honestly, I don't think it is that big of a deal. A far bigger deal is our germs getting serious resistance to our drugs. We are literally in a race to get gene therapy working before our antibiotics stop working.
#3
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Re: So ... this ZIKA virus
I've seen pictures and it looks like their brains are missing right out of the tops of their heads...oh, I'm sorry I thought this was the "Bernie Sanders supporters" thread.
#4
Re: So ... this ZIKA virus
This will be yet another story of a virus that will demonstrate the idiocy and irrelevance of the world's health organizations, and will be the next buzzwerd by news agencies which viewers will tortuously have to endure.
Of course, I've heard the word Caucus a few million times.
Of course, I've heard the word Caucus a few million times.
#5
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Re: So ... this ZIKA virus
I dont know. I've seen images of babies and small children that were a result of the mother having it and it's kinda sad.
They resemble 'Pepper' from 'AHS'.
They resemble 'Pepper' from 'AHS'.
#7
DVD Talk Ruler
Re: So ... this ZIKA virus
I'm heading to South America in a few weeks but I'm heading south to Buenos Aires. I think I'll be OK as I don't think it's spread down that far. Just in case I'll take a bunch of anti-mosquito spray and wipes and stuff which I do anyhow when I travel because I hate mosquitoes and no-see-ums anywhere - which is why I live in a place where they don't exist

#8
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Re: So ... this ZIKA virus
Yeah it's kinda funny. There is no 'cure' for it but it's as simple as using mosquito spray to avoid it in the first place.
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Re: So ... this ZIKA virus
This only affects newborn/yet to be born babies right? Well I'm not a baby and my kids are not babies either but my Cousin in pregnant
#10
Re: So ... this ZIKA virus
I'm heading to South America in a few weeks but I'm heading south to Buenos Aires. I think I'll be OK as I don't think it's spread down that far. Just in case I'll take a bunch of anti-mosquito spray and wipes and stuff which I do anyhow when I travel because I hate mosquitoes and no-see-ums anywhere - which is why I live in a place where they don't exist 

It's all about wipes these days.
#11
DVD Talk Legend
Re: So ... this ZIKA virus
The worst effects are for babies born from mothers infected with the Zika virus, but it is an illness that causes fever, joint paint, and conjunctivitis.
#12
Re: So ... this ZIKA virus
It's a mostly mild virus that clears from your system within a week. Some people do get complex effects of it, but it's rare.
The baby thing is the biggest issue, the increase of 150 babies born with the disorder to 3000+ over a year is pretty disturbing since there is no recovering from it. It can also be passed via sex apparently, so preggos shouldn't raw dogging with people that may have it.
The baby thing is the biggest issue, the increase of 150 babies born with the disorder to 3000+ over a year is pretty disturbing since there is no recovering from it. It can also be passed via sex apparently, so preggos shouldn't raw dogging with people that may have it.
Last edited by RichC2; 02-01-16 at 09:04 PM.
#14
DVD Talk Legend
Re: So ... this ZIKA virus
Yeah but if you bring the Zika virus back from overseas, a mosquito could bite you and spread it to other people including pregnant mothers. We don't want to put the next generation of Americans at risk, which is why they are trying to raise awareness.
#17
DVD Talk Legend
Re: So ... this ZIKA virus
This could work as much needed population control. Prevent people from having kids... or at least reducing the amount they'll have. Because not many people want to give birth to fucked up kids.
#18
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Re: So ... this ZIKA virus
It is very sad. I haven't seen AHS, but it is the same affliction that Schlitzie had (known from Tod Browning's 'Freaks').
#19
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Re: So ... this ZIKA virus
Zika spreads through sex
First new case of sexually transmitted Zika in U.S., CDC says
Zika has been sexually transmitted in Texas, CDC confirms.
Well that sucks ...
First new case of sexually transmitted Zika in U.S., CDC says
Zika has been sexually transmitted in Texas, CDC confirms.
CNN)Zika has been sexually transmitted in Texas, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday. It is the first known case of the virus being locally acquired in the continental United States in the current outbreak.
The case, announced by Dallas County health officials, involved a patient who had sex with someone who had recently returned from Venezuela infected with the mosquito-borne virus.
In a statement to CNN, the CDC said it confirmed the test results showing Zika present in the blood of a "nontraveler in the continental United States." They stressed that there was no risk to a developing fetus in this instance.
Based on that, the CDC says it will soon provide guidance on sexual transmission, with a "focus on the male sexual partners of women who are or who may be pregnant."
The case, announced by Dallas County health officials, involved a patient who had sex with someone who had recently returned from Venezuela infected with the mosquito-borne virus.
In a statement to CNN, the CDC said it confirmed the test results showing Zika present in the blood of a "nontraveler in the continental United States." They stressed that there was no risk to a developing fetus in this instance.
Based on that, the CDC says it will soon provide guidance on sexual transmission, with a "focus on the male sexual partners of women who are or who may be pregnant."
#20
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Re: So ... this ZIKA virus
#21
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: So ... this ZIKA virus
Here's the email I got sent yesterday from the American Academy of Pediatrics
WHO declares public health emergency
Zika-microcephaly relationship 'strongly suspected'
by Melissa Jenco · News Content Editor
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency Monday as it continues to investigate whether clusters of microcephaly and other neurological disorders are linked to the Zika virus.
WHO Director-General Margaret Chan, M.D., M.Sc., said a causal relationship is "strongly suspected" and there is concern due to the patterns of the virus' spread and lack of vaccines and reliable diagnostic tests.
"All agree on the urgent need to coordinate international efforts to investigate and understand this relationship better," she said.
WHO leaders recently estimated that within a year, 3 million to 4 million people in the Americas could be infected with the virus, which primarily is spread by Aedes mosquitoes. For the 20% who display symptoms, the illness is mild and may include fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis.
It was not the virus itself but the clusters of microcephaly in babies whose mothers were infected that led the WHO's International Health Regulations Emergency Committee to declare a "public health emergency of international concern," according to Dr. Chan.
The committee called for enhanced surveillance for neurological disorders and Zika virus, intensified research to determine whether there is a causative link, development of vaccines and diagnostic tests for Zika, implementation of mosquito control measures and education and counseling for pregnant women who may be at risk.
It stopped short of recommending travel or trade restrictions to more than two dozen countries and territories in Latin America and the Caribbean where Zika is spreading. However, Dr. Chan acknowledged pregnant women can reduce their risk of infection by delaying travel to affected countries, which is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC added four areas to its travel advisory Monday -- American Samoa, Costa Rica, Curacao, and Nicaragua. For pregnant women who do travel to affected areas, the CDC and WHO stressed the importance of avoiding mosquito bites.
Pediatricians treating infants whose mothers may have been infected with Zika virus can refer to an algorithm the CDC developed in collaboration with the Academy.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/wr/mm6503e3.htm
WHO declares public health emergency
Zika-microcephaly relationship 'strongly suspected'
by Melissa Jenco · News Content Editor
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency Monday as it continues to investigate whether clusters of microcephaly and other neurological disorders are linked to the Zika virus.
WHO Director-General Margaret Chan, M.D., M.Sc., said a causal relationship is "strongly suspected" and there is concern due to the patterns of the virus' spread and lack of vaccines and reliable diagnostic tests.
"All agree on the urgent need to coordinate international efforts to investigate and understand this relationship better," she said.
WHO leaders recently estimated that within a year, 3 million to 4 million people in the Americas could be infected with the virus, which primarily is spread by Aedes mosquitoes. For the 20% who display symptoms, the illness is mild and may include fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis.
It was not the virus itself but the clusters of microcephaly in babies whose mothers were infected that led the WHO's International Health Regulations Emergency Committee to declare a "public health emergency of international concern," according to Dr. Chan.
The committee called for enhanced surveillance for neurological disorders and Zika virus, intensified research to determine whether there is a causative link, development of vaccines and diagnostic tests for Zika, implementation of mosquito control measures and education and counseling for pregnant women who may be at risk.
It stopped short of recommending travel or trade restrictions to more than two dozen countries and territories in Latin America and the Caribbean where Zika is spreading. However, Dr. Chan acknowledged pregnant women can reduce their risk of infection by delaying travel to affected countries, which is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC added four areas to its travel advisory Monday -- American Samoa, Costa Rica, Curacao, and Nicaragua. For pregnant women who do travel to affected areas, the CDC and WHO stressed the importance of avoiding mosquito bites.
Pediatricians treating infants whose mothers may have been infected with Zika virus can refer to an algorithm the CDC developed in collaboration with the Academy.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/wr/mm6503e3.htm
#23
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#24
Re: So ... this ZIKA virus
I work in medical research and have been in two protocols for the past few years working on vaccines for Dengue and Chikungunya. Guess this is the next vaccine that will be headed my way.
#25
DVD Talk Legend
Re: So ... this ZIKA virus
