Canada - B.C. resident who recently travelled to El Salvador has contracted the Zika virus.

[Gert van der Hoek]

January 11, 2016 1:36 pm

[h=1]Centre for Disease Control warns of Zika virus in BC[/h]
The BC Centre for Disease Control says a B.C. resident who recently travelled to El Salvador has contracted the Zika virus.
This is a virus that is spread to people through mosquito bites, but those mosquitoes that transmit the virus to humans are not found in Canada.

The incubation period for the virus ranges from three to 12 days and disease symptoms are usually mild and last for two to seven days.Most people recover without severe complications and many do not have to go to hospital. One in four people infected with the Zika virus are believed to develop symptoms, including low-grade fever, joint pain, red eyes, rash and generalized symptoms such as muscle pain, physical weakness, lack of energy and headaches. The virus may go unrecognized or be misdiagnosed as dengue, chikungunya or other viral infections causing fever and rash.
The Zika virus is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito, however the virus has been isolated in semen and person-to-person sexual transmission has been documented. Zika can be transmitted through blood, but this also an infrequent mechanism.

 

[Emily]

Zika can be transmitted through blood, but this also an infrequent mechanism.

[h=1]Euro Surveill. Potential for Zika virus transmission through blood transfusion demonstrated during an outbreak in French Polynesia, November 2013 to February 2014[/h]

[SIZE=+0]Our findings suggest that ZIKAV NAT should be used to prevent blood transfusion-transmitted ZIKAV. As recommended by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, blood safety authorities need to be vigilant and should consider deferral of blood donors returning from areas with an outbreak of ZIKAV infection [2]. In areas endemic for Aedes species, a preparedness plan to respond to future outbreaks of ZIKAV infection should include emergency plans to sustain blood supply. [/SIZE]

 

[Pathfinder]

Public Health Notice - Zika Virus

January 9, 2016

Information is reviewed on a regular basis and updated as required.

Why you should take note

The Public Health Agency's National Microbiology Laboratory has confirmed to the BC Centre for Disease Control that a BC resident who had recently traveled to El Salvador has contracted Zika virus.

The Zika virus is spread to people through mosquito bites, but mosquitoes known to transmit the virus to humans are not present in Canada.

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.

The incubation period of Zika virus ranges from 3 to 12 days. The disease symptoms are usually mild and last for 2 to 7 days. 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.

Currently, there is no prophylaxis, vaccine or treatment for Zika virus. Treatment is generally limited to symptom relief.

Zika virus has been reported in Africa and parts of Asia since the 1950s, and in the southwestern Pacific Ocean in 2007. In 2015, Zika virus emerged in South America with widespread outbreaks reported in Brazil and Colombia. As of January 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 twenty-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.

Risk to Canadians

The risk to Canadians is low.

To date, there have been no reported cases of locally acquired Zika virus in Canada.

There have been two confirmed cases of Zika virus reported in Canada, both acquired from travel. One case, reported in 2013, had a history of travel to Thailand where Zika virus is present. In December 2015, one case was confirmed in a BC resident with travel to El Salvador.

Current evidence suggests that Zika virus is likely to persist and spread in the Americas and the South Pacific. Although the risk of virus establishment in Canada is low, there is ongoing risk to Canadians travelling to endemic regions.

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. There is no vaccine or medication that protects against Zika virus infection.

Travel information

While the Agency is not advising any travel restrictions related to this event at this time, a Travel Health Notice has been posted to provide advice to Canadian travellers. We will continue to monitor this situation very closely and advise Canadians as appropriate.

If you develop symptoms similar to Zika virus infection when you are travelling, or after you return, see a health care provider and tell them where you have been travelling or living.

What the Public Health Agency of Canada is doing

The Public Health Agency of Canada works with its national and international partners, including the World Health Organization, to monitor and share information. The Agency tracks diseases in Canada and around the world.

The Agency will continue to assess the risk on an ongoing basis by working with our partners, and support enhanced awareness for the travelling public.

The Public Health Agency?s National Microbiology Laboratory is able to detect the virus, and is in a position to support Provinces to test specimens. [h=2]Additional information[/h]

• Assistance - sickness or injury
• Returning to Canada - if you get sick
• Country travel advice and advisories
• WHO fact sheet - Zika virus

Public Health Agency of Canada
Media Relations
(613) 957-2983

http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/phn-asp/2016/zika-eng.php