Zika virus [to 26 March 2016]
Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)
http://www.who.int/emergencies/zika-virus/en/

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WHO Situation Report
Zika virus, Microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome 24 March 2016
Read the full situation report
Summary
:: From 1 January 2007 to 23 March 2016, Zika virus transmission was documented in a total of 61 countries and territories. Four of these countries and territories reported a Zika virus outbreak that is now over. Argentina and New Zealand are the latest countries to report sexual transmission of Zika virus. Thus, five countries have now reported locally acquired infection in the absence of any known mosquito vectors, probably through sexual transmission (Argentina, France, Italy, New Zealand and the United States of America).

:: The geographical distribution of Zika virus has steadily widened since the virus was first detected in the Americas in 2014. Autochthonous Zika virus transmission has been reported in 34 countries and territories of this region.

:: So far an increase in microcephaly and other fetal malformations has been reported in Brazil and French Polynesia. Two additional cases, linked to a stay in Brazil, were detected in the United States of America and Slovenia. Panama recently reported a newborn with microcephaly and occipital encephalocoele (neural tube defect) who died a few hours after birth and tested positive for Zika virus by RT-PCR.

:: In the context of Zika virus circulation, 12 countries or territories have reported an increased incidence of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and/or laboratory confirmation of a Zika virus infection among GBS cases.

:: The mounting evidence from observational, cohort and case-control studies indicates that Zika virus is highly likely to be a cause of microcephaly, GBS and other neurological disorders. Among the tasks ahead are to further quantify the risk of neurological disorders following Zika virus infection, and to investigate the biological mechanisms that lead to neurological disorders.

:: The global prevention and control strategy launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a Strategic Response Framework encompasses surveillance, response activities and research, and this situation report is organized under those headings.

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Public consultation of Zika diagnostics
In order to address the limitations and gaps of current diagnostic tests for Zika, WHO and several key stakeholders have developed target product profiles (TPPs) to test for the disease. TPPs define the desired characteristics of Zika diagnostic tests, and are aspirational in nature.
WHO invites experts to comment and give input on these TPPS by 3 April 2016. The contact information is at the end of the TPPs.
The TPPs include a brief summary of additional important considerations that highlight technical challenges to test development and the limits to scientific understanding of the virus at this stage of the Zika response.
:: Target product profiles (TPPs)pdf, 263kb
:: WHO global consultation on research related to Zika virus infection 7-9 March 2016

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Latest updates
:: WHO Director-General briefs the media on the Zika situation
22 March 2016

Guidance for health workers
:: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice surveys
24 March 2016
:: Lab testing for Zika virus infection
23 March 2016

Zika Open
[Bulletin of the World Health Organization]
:: All papers available here
[No new papers posted]

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CDC/ACIP [to 26 March 2016]
http://www.cdc.gov/media/index.html
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016
CDC Issues Updated Zika Recommendations: Timing of Pregnancy after Zika Exposure, Prevention of Sexual Transmission, Considerations for Reducing Unintended Pregnancy in Areas with Zika Transmission
CDC today issued new guidance and information to prevent Zika virus transmission and health effects.
:: Updated interim guidance for healthcare professionals for counseling patients about pregnancy planning and the timing of pregnancy after possible exposure to Zika virus;
:: Updated interim guidance for preventing sexual transmission with information about how long men and women should consider using condoms or not having sex; and
:: Considerations and challenges, based on Puerto Rico’s experience, for reducing unintended pregnancy in areas with active Zika transmission…

FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016
Transcript for CDC Telebriefing: Updates on CDC recommendations related to Zika virus

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016
CDC adds Dominica to interim travel guidance related to Zika virus – Media Statement

MMWR – March 25, 2016 / Vol. 65 / No. 11
:: Travel-Associated Zika Virus Disease Cases Among U.S. Residents — United States, January 2015–February 2016
:: Preventing Transmission of Zika Virus in Labor and Delivery Settings Through Implementation of Standard Precautions — United States, 2016