Health officials in Denmark said Wednesday a resident who had traveled to South and Central America has tested positive for the Zika virus.
According to the World Health Organization, the mosquito-borne virus could be linked to 4,000 suspected cases of microcephaly in Brazil, a condition that results in abnormally small heads in newborns and can affect brain development.
There is no treatment or cure for Zika virus infections, and an outbreak in Brazil and at least 20 other countries and territories in the Americas has prompted public health warnings.
Zika Virus Mosquito-borne virus first identified in Uganda in 1947
Known to circulate in Africa, the Americas and Asia
About 20 percent of those infected become ill
Symptoms similar to dengue and chikungunya, which are carried by same type of mosquito
Most common effects are fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes; last 2-7 days
Deaths are rare
No vaccine or treatment available
Best prevention is preventing mosquito bites
Source: WHO and U.S. CDC
Authorities in El Salvador and Colombia have recommended women postpone getting pregnant.
In Brazil, 200,000 troops are traveling to homes to distribute pamphlets with advice on mosquito eradication, while crews are also fumigating areas that will be used for upcoming carnival celebrations and this year's Olympics.
The WHO's regional office in the Americas said Monday the most effective ways to stop the virus from spreading are to reduce mosquito breeding sites and for people to protect themselves from bites with insect repellent, nets, screens and clothing that covers as much of the body as possible.
The White House said President Barack Obama met with senior health advisers on Tuesday and emphasized the need to accelerate the development of diagnostic tests, vaccines and treatments, and to make sure Americans have the information they need to protect themselves from infection.
Health officials in the U.S. state of Virginia said Tuesday a man there tested positive for the virus, but that there was no risk of it spreading to others because it is not mosquito season there.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned pregnant women against traveling to areas with Zika virus outbreaks.
VOA News
ABUJA: Training Schedule for Basic Life Support BLS, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support ACLS, First Aid, CPR, AED
PORTHARCOURT: Training Schedule for Basic Life Support BLS, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support ACLS, First Aid, CPR, AED
LAGOS: Training Schedule for Basic Life Support BLS, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support ACLS, First Aid, CPR, AED
STOP paying for airtime and electricity, Let your phone pay its bills with ScreenT
You may also like
Comrade Lemii Christian Emerges Chairman of NANNM Rivers State Branch in Historic Victory
PORT HARCOURT, NIGERIA Following the long awaited National Association of N…
FG Supports Robotic Surgery Expansion to Reduce Medical Tourism
Nigeria is taking another step toward strengthening specialised healthcare …
Complete Knee Replacement Rehabilitation Package in Lagos
Knee replacement surgery is a major step toward pain relief and improved mo…
NAMDA threatens strike over unpaid medical lecturers’ allowances
The Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) has warned…
Resident Doctors Signal End to Strike Threat After High-Level Talks with Gbajabiamila
The threat of a nationwide indefinite strike by the Nigerian Association of…
