Zika Virus Surveillance Intensifying in the Americas, but Burden of Disease Still Unclear

Article

Surveillance for Zika Virus infection is intensifying in the Americas, but "It is hard to say exactly what the burden of disease in the region is, or will be in the future," according to Dr. Sylvain Aldighieri of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization.

Speaking at a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services expert consultation on Zika Virus in the Americas in Washington on March 28, 2016, Aldighieri described PAHO's integrated surveillance strategy and the need to continue training primary health care workers in identifying and reporting Zika cases in addition to strengthening laboratory capacities .

He participated in a panel on Zika Virus Pathogenesis, Epidemiology, and Natural History at the consultation, along with Dr Fernando Bozza of FIOCRUZ, Dr Albert I. Ko of Yale School of Public Health Dr. Pedro F.C. Vasconcelos of the Evandro Chagas Institute, Dr Nahida Chakhtoura of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and Dr Scott Weaver of the University of Texas Medical Branch.

The goal of the two-day consultation is to review current information about epidemiology and natural history, including potential link to microcephaly and other fetal malformations, clinical manifestations, modes of transmission and pathogenesis of Zika virus. The scientists also plan to identify critical gaps in knowledge, technologies, research infrastructure and regulatory oversight needed to address the current epidemic, and discuss strategies to accelerate the development of vaccines, diagnostics, therapeutics and novel vector control methods.

The consultation was opened by Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, and Dr. Nicole Lurie, assistant secretary for preparedness and response, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Food and Drug Administration, and other agencies are participating.

Source: PAHO

Related Videos
Anne Meneghetti, MD, speaking with Infection Control Today
Patient Safety: Infection Control Today's Trending Topic for March
Infection Control Today® (ICT®) talks with John Kimsey, vice president of processing optimization and customer success for Steris.
Picture at AORN’s International Surgical Conference & Expo 2024
Infection Control Today and Contagion are collaborating for Rare Disease Month.
Rare Disease Month: An Infection Control Today® and Contagion® collaboration.
Vaccine conspiracy theory vector illustration word cloud  (Adobe Stock 460719898 by Colored Lights)
Rare Disease Month: An Infection Control Today® and Contagion® collaboration.
Infection Control Today Topic of the Month: Mental Health
Related Content