Zika virus [to 9 April 2016]
Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)
http://www.who.int/emergencies/zika-virus/en/

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Zika situation report
7 April 2016
Zika virus, Microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome
Read the full situation report
Summary
:: From 1 January 2007 to 6 April 2016, Zika virus transmission was documented in a total of 62 countries and territories. Five of these (Cook Islands, French Polynesia, ISLA DE PASCUA – Chile, YAP (Federated States of Micronesia) and New Caledonia) reported a Zika virus outbreak that has terminated. Six countries have now reported locally acquired infection through sexual transmission (Argentina, Chile, France, Italy, New Zealand and the United States of America). Viet Nam is the country to most recently report mosquito-borne Zika virus transmission.

:: 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.

:: From 2007, mosquito-borne Zika virus cases have been reported in 17 countries and areas of the Western Pacific Region.

:: Microcephaly and other fetal malformations potentially associated with Zika virus infection or suggestive of congenital infection have been reported in Brazil (1046 cases), Cabo Verde (two cases), Colombia (seven cases), French Polynesia (eight cases), Martinique (three cases) and Panama (one case). Two additional cases, each 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 worldwide have reported an increased incidence of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and/or laboratory confirmation of a Zika virus infection among GBS cases.

:: Based on a growing body of preliminary research, there is scientific consensus that Zika virus is a cause of microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome.

:: 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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Guidance for Health Workers
Surveillance for Zika virus infection, microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome – Interim Guidance
6 April 2016
This document provides interim recommendations for the surveillance of Zika virus infection, microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome, in four different contexts and describes reporting requirements to WHO. Transmission refers to vector-borne transmission, unless specified differently. Autochthonous infection is considered to be an infection acquired in-country, i.e. among patients with no history of travel during the incubation period or who have travelled exclusively to non-affected areas during the incubation period. This document does not provide guidance on laboratory investigation or vector surveillance.
Number of pages: 9
Publication date: Updated 7 April 2016
Languages: English
WHO reference number: WHO/ZIKV/SUR/16.2 Rev.1

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Zika Open [to 9 April 2016]
[Bulletin of the World Health Organization]
:: All papers available here
No new papers identified in last week

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White House to redirect unused Ebola money to prepare for Zika virus
By Debra Goldschmidt, CNN
Updated 11:44 PM ET, Thu April 7, 2016
(CNN)In an effort to take immediate action against the Zika virus, the White House said it will redirect $589 million of existing funds, including $510 million which had been designated to fight Ebola.

The funding is needed for detection, prevention and response efforts, Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell said Wednesday.

There are about 40 million people traveling between the continental United States and areas where the virus is circulating, according to Burwell.

The primary goal, she said, is to protect pregnant women and those who may become pregnant, because the virus is linked to a neurological birth defect and other fetal abnormalities. Experts agree that there are many unknowns when it comes to the virus and more is being learned every day…

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CDC/ACIP [to 9 April 2016]
http://www.cdc.gov/media/index.html
TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2016
Transcript for CDC Telebriefing: Zika Summit Press Conference
Transcript for CDC telebriefing of the Zika Summit Press Conference

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016
CDC Adds Fiji to Interim Travel Guidance Related to Zika Virus
CDC is working with other public health officials to monitor for ongoing Zika virus? transmission. Today, CDC posted a Zika virus travel notice for Fiji. CDC has issued travel notices…

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UN Women [to 9 April 2016]
http://www.unwomen.org/news/stories
Date: 07 April 2016
As World Health Day is commemorated globally, actions intensify in response to the Zika virus in Brazil
On World Health Day (7 April), UN Women and partners are beginning the second phase of targeted communication efforts around women’s rights in response to the Zika virus