Zika virus [to 2 April 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
31 March 2016
Summary
:: From 1 January 2007 to 30 March 2016, Zika virus transmission was documented in a total of 61 countries and territories. Four of these (Cook Islands, French Polynesia, ISLA DE PASCUA – Chile, and New Caledonia) reported a Zika virus outbreak that is now over. Six countries have now reported locally acquired infection in the absence of any known mosquito vectors, probably through sexual transmission (Argentina, Chile, France, Italy, New Zealand and the United States of America).
:: In the Region of the Americas, the geographical distribution of Zika virus has steadily widened since the presence of the virus was confirmed in 2015. Mosquito-borne Zika virus transmission has been reported in 33 countries and territories of this region.

:: In the Western Pacific Region, mosquito-borne Zika virus cases have been reported in 16 countries and areas.

:: Microcephaly and other fetal malformations have been reported in Brazil (944 cases), Cabo Verde (two cases), Colombia (32 cases), French Polynesia (eight cases), Martinique (one case) and Panama (one case). Two additional cases, linked to a stay in Brazil, were detected in the United States of America and Slovenia.

:: In the context of Zika virus circulation, 13 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.

:: Based on observational, cohort and case-control studies there is strong scientific consensus that Zika virus is a cause of GBS, microcephaly and other 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. This situation report is organized under those headings.

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Disease Outbreak News (DONs)
:: 1 April 2016 – Microcephaly – France – Martinique
:: 29 March 2016 – Zika virus infection – Dominica and Cuba
:: 29 March 2016 – Microcephaly – Panama
:: 29 March 2016 – Guillain-Barré syndrome – Panama

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Zika Open [to 2 April 2016]
[Bulletin of the World Health Organization]
:: All papers available here
Posted: 1 Apr 2016
Times to key events in the course of Zika infection and their implications: a systematic review and pooled analysis
– Justin T Lessler, Cassandara T Ott, Andrea C Carcelen, Jacob M Konikoff, Joe Williamson, Qifang Bi, Lauren M Kucirka, Derek AT Cummings, Nicholas G Reichd & Lelia H Chaissona

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CDC/ACIP [to 2 April 2016]
http://www.cdc.gov/media/index.html
FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016
National Zika Summit Focused on Coordinated U.S. Response
Today, more than 300 local, state, and federal government officials; health experts; and non-government partners are gathering at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prepare for the likelihood of mosquito-borne transmission of the Zika virus in some parts of the continental United States. The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa already are experiencing active Zika transmission.
Hosted by CDC, the one-day Zika Action Plan Summit brings together officials from local, state and federal jurisdictions, as well as non-government organizations, to help ensure a coordinated response to the mosquito-borne illness linked to the devastating birth defect microcephaly. The summit aims to identify gaps in readiness and provide technical support to states in the development of Zika action plans that will allow their jurisdictions to effectively prepare for and respond to active Zika transmission they may experience…

FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016
Zika Virus – Vital Signs: Zika and Pregnancy

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MMWR – April 1, 2016 / Vol. 65 / No. 12
:: Estimating Contraceptive Needs and Increasing Access to Contraception in Response to the Zika Virus Disease Outbreak — Puerto Rico, 2016
:: Update: Interim Guidance for Health Care Providers Caring for Women of Reproductive Age with Possible Zika Virus Exposure — United States, 2016
:: Update: Interim Guidance for Prevention of Sexual Transmission of Zika Virus — United States, 2016

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FDA [to 2 April 2016]
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/default.htm
March 30, 2016
FDA allows use of investigational test to screen blood donations for Zika virus
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced the availability of an investigational test to screen blood donations for Zika virus. The screening test may be used under an investigational new drug application (IND) for screening donated blood in areas with active mosquito-borne transmission of Zika virus.

“The availability of an investigational test to screen donated blood for Zika virus is an important step forward in maintaining the safety of the nation’s blood supply, especially for those U.S. territories already experiencing active transmission,” said Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. “In the future, should Zika virus transmission occur in other areas, blood collection establishments will be able to continue to collect blood and use the investigational screening test, minimizing disruption to the blood supply.”…