Health officials in Pennsylvania testing several people for Zika virus

On January 15, the Centersfor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised pregnant women “to consider postponing travel to countries with ongoing Zika virus transmission”.

The NIAID is now pursuing at least two approaches to a Zika vaccine.

Stopping the spread of the Zika virus means zeroing in on its carrier, that disease agent and summertime pest, the mosquito.

“So for example over the last decade there have been a number of islands in the Pacific that have had explosive outbreaks of Zika virus infection, as well as others like Chikungunya virus”. It has reported about 3,700 cases of microcephaly that are strongly suspected to be related to Zika.

Public health officials say the risk for Canadians is low and limited to those who travel or live in regions where the virus is circulating.

However, there is ongoing risk to Ontarians travelling to regions affected with Zika virus.

“Nigerians working at various ports of entry into the country should interview anyone coming from any of the Latin American countries for evidence of Zika virus symptoms”.

“The leaders agreed on the importance of collaborative efforts to deepen our knowledge, advance research and accelerate work to develop better vaccines and other technologies to control the virus”, the White House said in a statement.

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said the fact the Olympics will be held in August – during Brazil’s winter – could limit Zika’s impact on the games. Officials expect up to 700,000 cases to be diagnosed.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is poised to start very early clinical trials on a Zika vaccine this year, but it won’t be ready anytime soon.

In the Western Pacific, Zika was first reported in Micronesia in 2007. It may take as long as 10 years before a vaccine becomes widely available, Dr. Fauci cautioned.

The Zika virus infection usually is asymptomatic in almost 80 per cent of the cases. The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes).

Pregnant women here are also getting pre-screened.

“Nigerians should be vigilant and report promptly any case of unexplained fever that is more than 48 hours, especially in those with recent travels to Latin America, to health care professionals”.

Ontarians visiting affected areas should protect themselves against Zika virus by taking individual protective measures to prevent mosquito bites, including using insect repellent, protective clothing, mosquito nets, screened doors and windows.