Zika virus [to 27 February 2016]
Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)
http://www.who.int/emergencies/zika-virus/en/

.
Zika response accelerates as WHO Director-General visits Brazil
February 2016
As WHO continues its work to guide the international response to Zika, the Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan, has arrived in the northeast of the country to visit the area most affected by neurological disorders suspected of being linked to the virus, including microcephaly in babies.

.
WHO: Zika Virus, Microcephaly and Guillain–Barré syndrome situation report
26 February 2016
Read the full situation report
Summary
:: Between 1 January 2007 and 25 February 2016, a total of 52 countries and territories have reported autochthonous (local) transmission of Zika virus, including those where the outbreak is now over and countries and territories that provided indirect evidence of local transmission. Among the 52 countries and territories, Marshall Islands, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago are the latest to report autochthonous transmission of Zika virus.

:: The geographical distribution of Zika virus has steadily widened since the virus was first detected in the Americas in 2015. Autochthonous Zika virus transmission has been reported in 31 countries and territories of this region. Zika virus is likely to be transmitted and detected in other countries within the geographical range of competent mosquito vectors, especially Aedes aegypti.

:: So far an increase in microcephaly cases and other neonatal malformations have only been reported in Brazil and French Polynesia, although two cases linked to a stay in Brazil were detected in two other countries.

:: During 2015 and 2016, eight countries and territories have reported an increased incidence of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and/or laboratory confirmation of a Zika virus infection among GBS cases.

:: Evidence that neurological disorders, including microcephaly and GBS, are linked to Zika virus infection remains circumstantial, but a growing body of clinical and epidemiological data points towards a causal role for Zika virus.

:: The global prevention and control strategy launched by WHO as a Strategic Response Framework1 encompasses surveillance, response activities and research, and this situation report is organized under those headings. Following consultation with partners and taking changes in caseload into account, the framework will be updated at the end of March 2016 to reflect epidemiological evidence coming to light and the evolving division of roles and responsibilities for tackling this emergency.

.
Disease Outbreak News (DONs)
:: Zika virus infection – Netherlands – Bonaire and Aruba 22 February 2016

.
WHO Fact Sheet – Zika virus
22 February 2016

.
WHO releases new guidance for Zika virus and potential complications
25 February 2016 — WHO, today, releases guidance for health workers to assess microcephaly and identify and manage Guillain-Barré syndrome and other issues in relation to Zika virus and the current health emergency. Watch the video to learn how to prevent Zika virus by protecting yourself against mosquitoes.
:: Psychosocial support for pregnant women and for families with microcephaly and other neurological complications in the context of Zika virus
26 February 2016
:: Assessment of infants with microcephaly in the context of Zika virus
25 February 2016
:: Identification and management of Guillain-Barré syndrome in the context of Zika virus
25 February 2016
:: Breastfeeding in the context of Zika virus
25 February 2016

.
Zika Open
[Bulletin of the World Health Organization]
:: Papers available here
New
Birth prevalence of microcephaly in India
– Prajkta Bhide & Anita Kar
Posted: 23 February 2016 – http://dx.doi.org/10.2471/BLT.16.172080

.
CDC/ACIP [to 27 February 2016]
http://www.cdc.gov/media/index.html
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016
New CDC Laboratory Test for Zika Virus Authorized for Emergency Use by FDA
Emergency action expected to bolster US laboratory capacity for Zika testing
In response to a request from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for a diagnostic tool for Zika virus that will be distributed to qualified laboratories and, in the United States, those that are certified to perform high-complexity tests.

The test, called the CDC Zika IgM Antibody Capture Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (Zika MAC-ELISA), is intended for use in detecting antibodies that the body makes to fight a Zika virus infection. These antibodies (in this case, immunoglobulin M, or IgM) appear in the blood of a person infected with Zika virus beginning 4 to 5 days after the start of illness and last for about 12 weeks. The test is intended to be used on blood samples from people with a history of symptoms associated with Zika and/or people who have recently traveled to an area during a time of active Zika transmission…

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016
CDC issues advice for travel to the 2016 Summer Olympic Games
Today, CDC issued advice for people planning travel to the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from August 5 to August 21, 2016…

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2016
CDC adds 2 destinations to interim travel guidance related to Zika virus – Media Statement
CDC is working with other public health officials to monitor for ongoing Zika virus‎ transmission. Today, CDC added the following destinations to the Zika virus travel notices: Trinidad and Tobago and the Marshall Islands. CDC has issued a travel notice (Level 2-Practice Enhanced Precautions) for people traveling to regions and certain countries where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. For a full list of affected countries/regions: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/zika-travel-information. Specific areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing are often difficult to determine and are likely to continue to change over time…

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2016
CDC encourages following guidance to prevent sexual transmission of Zika virus – Media Statement