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Zika outbreak: What you need to know Zika outbreak: What you need to know
(30 days later)
The World Health Organization has declared the Zika virus a global public health emergency.The World Health Organization has declared the Zika virus a global public health emergency.
The infection is suspected of leading to thousands of babies being born with underdeveloped brains. The infection has been linked to thousands of babies being born with underdeveloped brains.
Some areas have declared a state of emergency, doctors have described it as "a pandemic in progress" and some are even advising women in affected countries to delay getting pregnant.Some areas have declared a state of emergency, doctors have described it as "a pandemic in progress" and some are even advising women in affected countries to delay getting pregnant.
But there is much we do not know in this emerging infection. But there is much we do not know.
Are the Olympic Games under threat?
Rio de Janeiro is the host city for the 2016 Olympic Games from 5 to 21 August.
The Brazilian authorities have targeted the mosquitoes' breeding grounds in the run-up to the Games.
The International Olympic Committee says it is in "close contact" with the Rio organisers and that Olympic venues will be inspected daily before and during this summer's Games.
It will be to ensure puddles of stagnant water, where mosquitoes breed, are removed to minimise the risk of athletes and visitors coming into contact with the insects.
There is also some hope there will be fewer mosquitoes in August as the month is both cooler and drier.
What are the symptoms of Zika?What are the symptoms of Zika?
Deaths are rare and only one-in-five people infected is thought to develop symptoms.Deaths are rare and only one-in-five people infected is thought to develop symptoms.
These include:These include:
A rare nervous system disorder, Guillain-Barre syndrome, that can cause temporary paralysis has been linked to the infection. A rare nervous system disorder, Guillain-Barré syndrome, that can cause temporary paralysis has been linked to the infection.
There is no vaccine or drug treatment so patients are advised to rest and drink plenty of fluids.There is no vaccine or drug treatment so patients are advised to rest and drink plenty of fluids.
But the biggest concern is the impact it could have on babies developing in the womb and the surge in microcephaly.But the biggest concern is the impact it could have on babies developing in the womb and the surge in microcephaly.
Zika virus: Special report
What is microcephaly?What is microcephaly?
It is when a baby is born with an abnormally small head, as their brain has not developed properly.It is when a baby is born with an abnormally small head, as their brain has not developed properly.
The severity varies, but it can be deadly if the brain is so underdeveloped that it cannot regulate the functions vital to life.The severity varies, but it can be deadly if the brain is so underdeveloped that it cannot regulate the functions vital to life.
Children that do survive face intellectual disability and development delays.Children that do survive face intellectual disability and development delays.
It can be caused by infections such as rubella, substance abuse during pregnancy or genetic abnormalities.It can be caused by infections such as rubella, substance abuse during pregnancy or genetic abnormalities.
Case study: 'It's not the end of the world'Case study: 'It's not the end of the world'
Brazil had fewer than 150 cases of microcephaly in the whole of 2014. The WHO says there is "scientific consensus" that Zika causes microcephaly as well as Guillain-Barre syndrome.
But more than 4,700 cases have been reported since 22 October 2015, with 404 confirmed and 3,670 still being investigated.
The link with Zika has not been confirmed, but the WHO says it is "strongly suspected".
Some babies who died had the virus in their brain and it has been detected in placenta and amniotic fluid too.Some babies who died had the virus in their brain and it has been detected in placenta and amniotic fluid too.
Why hasn't microcephaly been seen in other countries?
Cases of microcephaly have been centred in north-east Brazil, but the outbreak has affected more than 20 countries.
So where are the other cases of microcephaly?
The outbreak started in Brazil before spreading elsewhere, and the World Health Organization says there will be a lag of several months to know if pregnant women in these newly affected countries are affected too.
There have been suggestions that Zika led to a rise in birth defects after the 2013 outbreak in French Polynesia.
The race to understand link to microcephaly
Is it safe to try for a baby?Is it safe to try for a baby?
The link to microcephaly is not certain, but some governments have advised women to delay getting pregnant until more is known. Some governments have advised women to delay getting pregnant until more is known.
Experts now believe the virus is linked to a broader set of complications in pregnancy, including miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth and eye problems. Experts now believe Zika is linked to a broader set of complications in pregnancy, including miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth and eye problems.
The US Centres for Disease Control says Zika lingers in the blood for about a week and can be spread by sexual intercourse.The US Centres for Disease Control says Zika lingers in the blood for about a week and can be spread by sexual intercourse.
"The virus will not cause infections in a baby that is conceived after the virus is cleared from the blood," it says."The virus will not cause infections in a baby that is conceived after the virus is cleared from the blood," it says.
"There is currently no evidence that Zika-virus infection poses a risk of birth defects in future pregnancies.""There is currently no evidence that Zika-virus infection poses a risk of birth defects in future pregnancies."
The WHO advises couples practice safer sex or abstain for at least eight weeks if they are returning from Zika-affected areas. If the man in the couple planning a pregnancy develops Zika symptoms, then this period of abstinence or safe sex should be extended to six months.The WHO advises couples practice safer sex or abstain for at least eight weeks if they are returning from Zika-affected areas. If the man in the couple planning a pregnancy develops Zika symptoms, then this period of abstinence or safe sex should be extended to six months.
Why is it a public health emergency?Why is it a public health emergency?
The World Health Organization is worried that Zika is spreading far and fast, with devastating consequences. The WHO is worried that Zika is spreading far and fast, with devastating consequences.
Declaring Zika as a "public health emergency of international concern" singles the disease out as a serious global threat. It puts it in the same category of importance as Ebola.Declaring Zika as a "public health emergency of international concern" singles the disease out as a serious global threat. It puts it in the same category of importance as Ebola.
Unlike Ebola, where the focus was on boots on the ground, with Zika the attention will be on understanding the link with microcephaly.Unlike Ebola, where the focus was on boots on the ground, with Zika the attention will be on understanding the link with microcephaly.
The WHO will coordinate countries' health agencies to conduct trials to determine the risk. The WHO will co-ordinate countries' health agencies to conduct trials to determine the risk.
It will also encourage efforts to stop the mosquito that spreads the disease as well as finding a treatment or a vaccine to stop the virus.It will also encourage efforts to stop the mosquito that spreads the disease as well as finding a treatment or a vaccine to stop the virus.
The work will depend on money donated by countries.The work will depend on money donated by countries.
Where did Zika come from?Where did Zika come from?
It was first identified in monkeys in Uganda in 1947.It was first identified in monkeys in Uganda in 1947.
The first human case was detected in Nigeria in 1954 and there have been further outbreaks in Africa, South East Asia and the Pacific Islands.The first human case was detected in Nigeria in 1954 and there have been further outbreaks in Africa, South East Asia and the Pacific Islands.
Most were small and Zika has not previously been considered a major threat to human health.Most were small and Zika has not previously been considered a major threat to human health.
But in May 2015 it was reported in Brazil and has spread rapidly. But in May 2015 it was reported in Brazil and has since spread rapidly.
It has since also been reported in: Barbados, Bolivia, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Saint Martin, Suriname and Venezuela.
At the end of July, health officials in Florida confirmed that 14 cases of Zika in an area of downtown Miami were likely to have been contracted from local mosquitoes.
"Its current explosive pandemic re-emergence is, therefore, truly remarkable," the US National Institutes of Health said."Its current explosive pandemic re-emergence is, therefore, truly remarkable," the US National Institutes of Health said.
How does it spread?How does it spread?
It is spread by Aedes mosquitoes. It is spread by Aedes mosquitoes. They are the same insects that spread dengue and chikungunya virus.
They are found throughout the Americas except for Canada and Chile where it is too cold for them to survive. They are found throughout the Americas except for Canada and Chile where it is too cold for them to survive, and across Asia.
If they drink the blood of an infected person they can then infect subsequent people they bite.
It is unclear for how long someone can transmit the virus after being infected.
They are the same insects that spread dengue and chikungunya virus.
And, unlike the mosquitoes that spread malaria, they are mostly active during the day, so bed nets offer limited protection.And, unlike the mosquitoes that spread malaria, they are mostly active during the day, so bed nets offer limited protection.
The WHO expects Zika to spread throughout the Americas, but other scientists have warned that countries in Asia could face large outbreaks too. If they drink the blood of an infected person they can then infect subsequent people they bite.
Can it be spread through sex? The WHO says sexual transmission is also possible.
There have been reported cases of sexual transmission with the virus spreading to people who have not visited affected countries.
This seems to be a very rare event, but it means Zika has a limited potential to spread in any country - not just those with the Aedes mosquito.
Some countries advise men returning home from affected countries to use condoms if their partner is pregnant or might become pregnant.
This should be done for 28 days after coming home if you have no symptoms, and for six months if Zika symptoms do develop.
Zika virus has also been found in other bodily fluids including saliva and urine, but it is unknown whether the virus can spread through these routes.
How long are people infectious?How long are people infectious?
The best evidence so far suggests that people can spread the virus via mosquitoes for a week after being infected.The best evidence so far suggests that people can spread the virus via mosquitoes for a week after being infected.
In semen it may persist for two weeks.In semen it may persist for two weeks.
Countries have advised safe sex and a ban on blood donations for a month after just visiting such countries and for longer if they developed symptoms.Countries have advised safe sex and a ban on blood donations for a month after just visiting such countries and for longer if they developed symptoms.
What can people do?What can people do?
As there is no treatment, the only option is to reduce the risk of being bitten.As there is no treatment, the only option is to reduce the risk of being bitten.
Health officials advise people to:Health officials advise people to:
The mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, so people are also being told to empty buckets and flower pots.The mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, so people are also being told to empty buckets and flower pots.
The US Centers for Disease Control has advised pregnant women not to travel to affected areas.The US Centers for Disease Control has advised pregnant women not to travel to affected areas.
What is being done?What is being done?
The Brazilian Health Minister, Marcelo Castro, has said a new testing kit is being developed to identify infections quickly. Brazilian Health Minister Marcelo Castro has said a new testing kit is being developed to identify infections quickly.
He also said more money was being put into the development of a vaccine.He also said more money was being put into the development of a vaccine.
Some scientists are also trialling the use of genetically modified sterile mosquitoes that appear to reduce mosquito populations by 90%.Some scientists are also trialling the use of genetically modified sterile mosquitoes that appear to reduce mosquito populations by 90%.
Meanwhile, efforts are under way to kill the mosquitoes with insecticide.Meanwhile, efforts are under way to kill the mosquitoes with insecticide.
Zika vaccineZika vaccine
US experts from the National Institutes of Health say trials of a Zika vaccine will likely start in September this year. Depending on the results, larger trials could begin at the start of 2017.US experts from the National Institutes of Health say trials of a Zika vaccine will likely start in September this year. Depending on the results, larger trials could begin at the start of 2017.
"The very, very best scenario" would be a vaccine ready for the general public by the beginning of 2018, they say."The very, very best scenario" would be a vaccine ready for the general public by the beginning of 2018, they say.
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