Evolving mosquito bite virus hits Canada
By Matt Dykstra, Edmonton Sun
First posted: Monday, January 11, 2016 04:24 PM EST | Updated: Monday, January 11, 2016 06:16 PM EST
Health Canada -- via Alberta Regional Communications -- has issued a warning about Zika virus after a British Columbia man contracted the mosquito-borne infection while abroad.
Zika virus, transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes, causes mild fever and rash with symptoms lasting for a few days. While the disease is typically mild, there is no cure and treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms.
But the virus carries an additional risk to pregnant women as a Brazillian investigation launched in Nov. 2015 initially found an "average twenty-fold increase in the incidence of microcephaly (abnormally small head) among newborns" born in areas where Zika virus has been found. The investigation is ongoing to determine if Zika virus is linked to microcephaly.
Widespread outbreaks were reported in Brazil and Columbia in 2015 with cases also discovered in Chile, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Paraguay, Suriname, and Venezuela.
"Canadians travellers visiting affected areas, particularly pregnant women, should help 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," warns Health Canada.
"There is no vaccine or medication that protects against Zika virus infection."
Health Canada announced last week that the B.C. Centre for Disease Control has confirmed that a B.C. resident contracted the virus in December 2015 after travelling to El Salvador. The virus is "likely to persist and spread" in the Americas and the South Pacific, said officials.
"Although the risk of virus establishment in Canada is low, there is ongoing risk to Canadians travelling to endemic regions," reads the public health warning.
There have been no locally-acquired cases of Zika virus in Canada as the mosquitoes known to transmit the virus to humans are not present in the country. The last reported case occurred in 2013 involved a patient with a "history of travel to Thailand."
While no restrictions to travel have been made currently, Health Canada says it continues to monitor the situation "very closely." If you develop symptoms similar to Zika virus while travelling abroad or after returning to Canada, you're advised to contact your doctor.
matthew.dykstra@sunmedia.ca
@SunMattDykstra
Zika Virus Facts:
* Zika virus is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. The disease is usually mild, with symptoms lasting between two and 7 days.
* Only one in four people infected with Zika virus are believed to develop symptoms. These include: low-grade fever, joint pain, red eyes, rash and generalized symptoms such as muscle pain, physical weakness, lack of energy and headaches.
* There is no cure for Zika virus disease. Treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms.
* Most people recover fully without severe complications, and hospitalization rates are low. Zika virus infection may go unrecognized or be misdiagnosed as dengue, chikungunya or other viral infections causing fever and rash.
* It was first isolated from a rhesus monkey in Zika forest, Uganda, in 1947; in mosquitoes (Aedes africanus) in the same forest in 1948; and in humans in Nigeria in 1954. It has been reported in Africa and parts of Asia since the 1950s, and in the South Pacific in 2007.
* In 2015, Zika virus emerged in South America with widespread outbreaks reported in Brazil and Columbia. As of Jan. 5, 2016, locally acquired cases have been reported in Brazil, Chile (Easter Island), Colombia, El Salvador, French Guyana, Guatemala, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Suriname and Venezuela.
* In November 2015, a Brazilian investigation indicated an average 20-fold increase in the incidence of microcephaly (abnormally small head) among newborns born in areas where Zika virus was known to be in circulation. Although there is mounting evidence to warrant concern, the investigation is ongoing to confirm whether Zika virus may be the cause of these microcephaly cases.
Evolving mosquito bite virus hits Canada | Canada | News | Toronto Sun
By Matt Dykstra, Edmonton Sun
First posted: Monday, January 11, 2016 04:24 PM EST | Updated: Monday, January 11, 2016 06:16 PM EST
Health Canada -- via Alberta Regional Communications -- has issued a warning about Zika virus after a British Columbia man contracted the mosquito-borne infection while abroad.
Zika virus, transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes, causes mild fever and rash with symptoms lasting for a few days. While the disease is typically mild, there is no cure and treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms.
But the virus carries an additional risk to pregnant women as a Brazillian investigation launched in Nov. 2015 initially found an "average twenty-fold increase in the incidence of microcephaly (abnormally small head) among newborns" born in areas where Zika virus has been found. The investigation is ongoing to determine if Zika virus is linked to microcephaly.
Widespread outbreaks were reported in Brazil and Columbia in 2015 with cases also discovered in Chile, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Paraguay, Suriname, and Venezuela.
"Canadians travellers visiting affected areas, particularly pregnant women, should help 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," warns Health Canada.
"There is no vaccine or medication that protects against Zika virus infection."
Health Canada announced last week that the B.C. Centre for Disease Control has confirmed that a B.C. resident contracted the virus in December 2015 after travelling to El Salvador. The virus is "likely to persist and spread" in the Americas and the South Pacific, said officials.
"Although the risk of virus establishment in Canada is low, there is ongoing risk to Canadians travelling to endemic regions," reads the public health warning.
There have been no locally-acquired cases of Zika virus in Canada as the mosquitoes known to transmit the virus to humans are not present in the country. The last reported case occurred in 2013 involved a patient with a "history of travel to Thailand."
While no restrictions to travel have been made currently, Health Canada says it continues to monitor the situation "very closely." If you develop symptoms similar to Zika virus while travelling abroad or after returning to Canada, you're advised to contact your doctor.
matthew.dykstra@sunmedia.ca
@SunMattDykstra
Zika Virus Facts:
* Zika virus is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. The disease is usually mild, with symptoms lasting between two and 7 days.
* Only one in four people infected with Zika virus are believed to develop symptoms. These include: low-grade fever, joint pain, red eyes, rash and generalized symptoms such as muscle pain, physical weakness, lack of energy and headaches.
* There is no cure for Zika virus disease. Treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms.
* Most people recover fully without severe complications, and hospitalization rates are low. Zika virus infection may go unrecognized or be misdiagnosed as dengue, chikungunya or other viral infections causing fever and rash.
* It was first isolated from a rhesus monkey in Zika forest, Uganda, in 1947; in mosquitoes (Aedes africanus) in the same forest in 1948; and in humans in Nigeria in 1954. It has been reported in Africa and parts of Asia since the 1950s, and in the South Pacific in 2007.
* In 2015, Zika virus emerged in South America with widespread outbreaks reported in Brazil and Columbia. As of Jan. 5, 2016, locally acquired cases have been reported in Brazil, Chile (Easter Island), Colombia, El Salvador, French Guyana, Guatemala, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Suriname and Venezuela.
* In November 2015, a Brazilian investigation indicated an average 20-fold increase in the incidence of microcephaly (abnormally small head) among newborns born in areas where Zika virus was known to be in circulation. Although there is mounting evidence to warrant concern, the investigation is ongoing to confirm whether Zika virus may be the cause of these microcephaly cases.
Evolving mosquito bite virus hits Canada | Canada | News | Toronto Sun
