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Intervention by Marisol Touraine "Press Conference - Zika
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
published le03.02.16
...
Ladies and gentlemen,
For several months, a major outbreak of Zika rife in South America and Central America. At this point, the cases have been notified in 26 countries and territories in the region. France is concerned: Martinique and Guiana have just returned in epidemic phase. The first cases were also detected in Guadeloupe and St. Martin. The alert level is now higher, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of Zika was a public health emergency of international concern. This effectively means that the research for the development of a vaccine will accelerate. Initiatives in both public and private are already underway.
In most cases, 70 to 80% of cases the virus does not give rise to symptoms, complicating its detection and therefore its containment. In the vast majority of cases where symptoms occur, these symptoms are mild, such as headache, body aches and fatigue. In rarer cases, the effects of the virus are more serious and can cause Guillain Barr? syndrome, that is to say, severe neurological complications. The link between infection of pregnant women and the development of birth defects is also strongly suspected.
This virus is transmitted through the bite of an Aedes mosquito. This is the only transmission formally attested internationally. However, new developments occurred yesterday about some cases of sexual transmission of Zika. This raises the question of precautionary measures, point to which I shall return.
I spoke this morning with ultramarine parliamentarians and the Minister of Overseas to ensure that all the concerns of people living in the French departments of America are taken into account, especially pregnant women. We will work together to strengthen the effectiveness of prevention measures, including the vector control.
I- I now want to make a very specific point on the epidemiological situation in France.
The epidemic is now based in Martinique and Guyana, respectively in 2287 and 245 cases evocative, almost a hundred have been laboratory confirmation. 10 indigenous cases were also confirmed in Guadeloupe and 1 case in Saint Martin.
In total since the beginning of the epidemic in the French departments of America, 20 pregnant women were detected positive for Zika. These women are subject to enhanced monitoring, no defects were detected to date. 2 cases of Guillain Barre syndrome have also been supported, one of them is still in intensive care at the University Hospital of Fort-de-France.
Regarding the Metropole zika 9 imported cases have been supported since the beginning of the year. One of them, back in France after a stay in an area affected by the virus, has a neurological form of the infection.
I want to remind that the current winter season is not conducive to the development of the metropolis mosquitoes and there is no risk of epidemic today in France.
II- I now want to review the measures in place to deal with this epidemic.
Starting in July, the regional health agencies of the French departments of America were mobilized to prepare our health system to the appearance of Zika. They activated surveillance systems.
On 11 December, a message was sent to regional health agencies for their share of the high risk of contamination Zika in our area, and ask them to develop an action plan.
On December 19, the first two indigenous cases of people infected by the virus have been confirmed in Guyana and Martinique. The same day, e-mail messages "MARS" and "DGS URGENT" were sent by the Ministry to all health institutions and all health professionals to tell them what to do facing this epidemic with particular vigilance for pregnant women.
Since that day, messages sent to them regularly to update the monitoring of recommendations and care.
Martinique and Guyana crossed the epidemic threshold, respectively on 20 and 22 January 2016.
On 22 January, the High Council of Public Health gave me his report on the monitoring of pregnant women. The same day, so I sent updated recommendations on which I shall return in a moment.
Our health system and health alert is fully mobilized. Three objectives are pursued: Prevent, strengthen monitoring and anticipate.
Prevent, first. The information to the public has been strengthened at the onset of the first case, in particular through the regional press. The purpose of this information is to educate the entire public to measures of individual protection, especially against mosquito bites. I grabbed the top Audiovisual Council (CSA) to be broadcast in the local media of radio and television spots. I remember that wearing protective clothing, using repellents and mosquito nets coated are recommended.
I said, new elements have reported some cases of sexual transmission. This raises the question of precautionary measures.
British and Irish authorities yesterday recommended condom for the male partner of a woman who is pregnant or planning to become pregnant is or has been exposed to Zika.
A professional opinion of the National Council of obstetric gynecology, which I have to be aware and which has just been made public, going in the same direction and recommends - I quote - "condom use for pregnant women or reproductive age in endemic areas, or whose companion is suspected of being infected. "
So I seized this morning in the emergency High Council of Public Health for him to confirm in the coming days, these recommendations for France.
Prevention always with the vector control. In daily contact with the prefectural services and local authorities, we have strengthened measures to limit the proliferation of mosquitoes. These measures aim to destroy cottages potential mosquito breeding by removing stagnant water, such as in gutters or in the gardens. I want to strengthen these resources by an additional mobilization, particularly with the establishment of preparedness and response to health emergencies (EPRUS) and civic service. Research is underway to improve knowledge of mosquito resistance to optimize treatments. I welcome the commitment of local authorities.
Second objective: to strengthen monitoring. The regional health agencies of Martinique and Guyana set up a weekly monitoring committee with health professionals and the Maternal and Child Health Services (PMI) on the care of pregnant women. Monitoring and specific support have been established for pregnant women residing in the territories concerned. Concretely, all pregnant women should consult a doctor to be accurately informed. If infection is suspected, a complete workup is performed, the search for the virus is carried out, and in case of confirmed infection, is set up a monthly ultrasound monitoring oriented neurological signs.
In addition and as a precautionary measure pending the outcome of discussions within the WHO, the Biomedicine Agency (ABM) has sent to health facilities of the departments concerned the recommendation to defer gamete donations and assistances medical procreation (AMP). As for those who come back in France after a stay in one of the territories concerned, the ABM recommends postponing gamete donation and medical assistance to procreation (MAP) over a period of 28 days after the return and the realization of a sperm test.
Regarding biological diagnostic test to certify the contamination Zika virus, it is now supported in a hospital setting; I decided to engage in urgent procedure for the management of this test in the city as soon as possible.
Third objective: to anticipate. Everything is done to ensure the total capacity of our health system to deal with this epidemic. I mobilized the Site Preparation and Response to Health Emergencies (EPRUS). Four of its health professionals have been there since last Friday. Their goal: to assess additional needs to provide hospitals and physicians in these territories. Today, institutions and health professionals respond well and effectively to the needs of the population, even though the flu epidemic spreads.
Without waiting for the final results of the assessment mission of the EPRUS, I have decided to strengthen the management of equipment in intensive care in serious neurological syndromes in the hospitals concerned. By early next week, 6 extra respirators will therefore be delivered to the University Hospital of Martinique and 2 extra respirators cayenne CH Guyana.
The EPRUS has also already "pre-mobilized" reinforcements health professionals, if the situation require it locally. 50 reservists, including intensive care, are ready to leave if necessary. The aim is to establish medical teams (4-5 intensive care doctors and nurses 6-8) may support a unit of 4 intensive care beds.
The mission of the EPRUS continue its assessment in Martinique until tonight. She will then travel to Guyana and Guadeloupe. We can then adapt our response to the developments in real time.
III- I want to finally get back on the recommendations to pregnant women who planned to visit the areas affected by the epidemic.
My will is not to alarm. My responsibility as Minister of Health, it is to inform, protect - especially pregnant women.
On 19 December, the date of identification of the first case in the country, recommendations began to be disseminated orally in airplanes to and the return of the areas with the virus, be it French Departments States or foreign countries affected by the epidemic.
The opinion of the High Council of Public Health, which was given to me on January 22 stated follow-up recommendations for pregnant women in the affected areas by the virus. It further recommended to pregnant women with a relocation project in the affected territories to postpone their trip. I officially made the recommendation that day and called her back on January 28. Again, the areas concerned are clearly not only the French departments of America. The same recommendation applies to all Latin American countries concerned. Others have made the same recommendation to the attention of their nationals: the United States, Canada and Australia. Brazil itself has recommended that pregnant women not to travel on its territory.
Ladies and gentlemen,
These measures are expected to evolve. We are monitoring the situation in real time. Faced with an alert situation, all is implemented to ensure the safety of our fellow citizens and the protection of pregnant women, for whom the risk is very high.
I will go before the end of the month in the French Departments of America to provide an update on the mobilization of our health system, and make sure the deployed measures to deal with the epidemic.
I thank you.
http://social-sante.gouv.fr/actuali...de-marisol-touraine-conference-de-presse-zika
Intervention by Marisol Touraine "Press Conference - Zika
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
published le03.02.16
...
Ladies and gentlemen,
For several months, a major outbreak of Zika rife in South America and Central America. At this point, the cases have been notified in 26 countries and territories in the region. France is concerned: Martinique and Guiana have just returned in epidemic phase. The first cases were also detected in Guadeloupe and St. Martin. The alert level is now higher, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of Zika was a public health emergency of international concern. This effectively means that the research for the development of a vaccine will accelerate. Initiatives in both public and private are already underway.
In most cases, 70 to 80% of cases the virus does not give rise to symptoms, complicating its detection and therefore its containment. In the vast majority of cases where symptoms occur, these symptoms are mild, such as headache, body aches and fatigue. In rarer cases, the effects of the virus are more serious and can cause Guillain Barr? syndrome, that is to say, severe neurological complications. The link between infection of pregnant women and the development of birth defects is also strongly suspected.
This virus is transmitted through the bite of an Aedes mosquito. This is the only transmission formally attested internationally. However, new developments occurred yesterday about some cases of sexual transmission of Zika. This raises the question of precautionary measures, point to which I shall return.
I spoke this morning with ultramarine parliamentarians and the Minister of Overseas to ensure that all the concerns of people living in the French departments of America are taken into account, especially pregnant women. We will work together to strengthen the effectiveness of prevention measures, including the vector control.
I- I now want to make a very specific point on the epidemiological situation in France.
The epidemic is now based in Martinique and Guyana, respectively in 2287 and 245 cases evocative, almost a hundred have been laboratory confirmation. 10 indigenous cases were also confirmed in Guadeloupe and 1 case in Saint Martin.
In total since the beginning of the epidemic in the French departments of America, 20 pregnant women were detected positive for Zika. These women are subject to enhanced monitoring, no defects were detected to date. 2 cases of Guillain Barre syndrome have also been supported, one of them is still in intensive care at the University Hospital of Fort-de-France.
Regarding the Metropole zika 9 imported cases have been supported since the beginning of the year. One of them, back in France after a stay in an area affected by the virus, has a neurological form of the infection.
I want to remind that the current winter season is not conducive to the development of the metropolis mosquitoes and there is no risk of epidemic today in France.
II- I now want to review the measures in place to deal with this epidemic.
Starting in July, the regional health agencies of the French departments of America were mobilized to prepare our health system to the appearance of Zika. They activated surveillance systems.
On 11 December, a message was sent to regional health agencies for their share of the high risk of contamination Zika in our area, and ask them to develop an action plan.
On December 19, the first two indigenous cases of people infected by the virus have been confirmed in Guyana and Martinique. The same day, e-mail messages "MARS" and "DGS URGENT" were sent by the Ministry to all health institutions and all health professionals to tell them what to do facing this epidemic with particular vigilance for pregnant women.
Since that day, messages sent to them regularly to update the monitoring of recommendations and care.
Martinique and Guyana crossed the epidemic threshold, respectively on 20 and 22 January 2016.
On 22 January, the High Council of Public Health gave me his report on the monitoring of pregnant women. The same day, so I sent updated recommendations on which I shall return in a moment.
Our health system and health alert is fully mobilized. Three objectives are pursued: Prevent, strengthen monitoring and anticipate.
Prevent, first. The information to the public has been strengthened at the onset of the first case, in particular through the regional press. The purpose of this information is to educate the entire public to measures of individual protection, especially against mosquito bites. I grabbed the top Audiovisual Council (CSA) to be broadcast in the local media of radio and television spots. I remember that wearing protective clothing, using repellents and mosquito nets coated are recommended.
I said, new elements have reported some cases of sexual transmission. This raises the question of precautionary measures.
British and Irish authorities yesterday recommended condom for the male partner of a woman who is pregnant or planning to become pregnant is or has been exposed to Zika.
A professional opinion of the National Council of obstetric gynecology, which I have to be aware and which has just been made public, going in the same direction and recommends - I quote - "condom use for pregnant women or reproductive age in endemic areas, or whose companion is suspected of being infected. "
So I seized this morning in the emergency High Council of Public Health for him to confirm in the coming days, these recommendations for France.
Prevention always with the vector control. In daily contact with the prefectural services and local authorities, we have strengthened measures to limit the proliferation of mosquitoes. These measures aim to destroy cottages potential mosquito breeding by removing stagnant water, such as in gutters or in the gardens. I want to strengthen these resources by an additional mobilization, particularly with the establishment of preparedness and response to health emergencies (EPRUS) and civic service. Research is underway to improve knowledge of mosquito resistance to optimize treatments. I welcome the commitment of local authorities.
Second objective: to strengthen monitoring. The regional health agencies of Martinique and Guyana set up a weekly monitoring committee with health professionals and the Maternal and Child Health Services (PMI) on the care of pregnant women. Monitoring and specific support have been established for pregnant women residing in the territories concerned. Concretely, all pregnant women should consult a doctor to be accurately informed. If infection is suspected, a complete workup is performed, the search for the virus is carried out, and in case of confirmed infection, is set up a monthly ultrasound monitoring oriented neurological signs.
In addition and as a precautionary measure pending the outcome of discussions within the WHO, the Biomedicine Agency (ABM) has sent to health facilities of the departments concerned the recommendation to defer gamete donations and assistances medical procreation (AMP). As for those who come back in France after a stay in one of the territories concerned, the ABM recommends postponing gamete donation and medical assistance to procreation (MAP) over a period of 28 days after the return and the realization of a sperm test.
Regarding biological diagnostic test to certify the contamination Zika virus, it is now supported in a hospital setting; I decided to engage in urgent procedure for the management of this test in the city as soon as possible.
Third objective: to anticipate. Everything is done to ensure the total capacity of our health system to deal with this epidemic. I mobilized the Site Preparation and Response to Health Emergencies (EPRUS). Four of its health professionals have been there since last Friday. Their goal: to assess additional needs to provide hospitals and physicians in these territories. Today, institutions and health professionals respond well and effectively to the needs of the population, even though the flu epidemic spreads.
Without waiting for the final results of the assessment mission of the EPRUS, I have decided to strengthen the management of equipment in intensive care in serious neurological syndromes in the hospitals concerned. By early next week, 6 extra respirators will therefore be delivered to the University Hospital of Martinique and 2 extra respirators cayenne CH Guyana.
The EPRUS has also already "pre-mobilized" reinforcements health professionals, if the situation require it locally. 50 reservists, including intensive care, are ready to leave if necessary. The aim is to establish medical teams (4-5 intensive care doctors and nurses 6-8) may support a unit of 4 intensive care beds.
The mission of the EPRUS continue its assessment in Martinique until tonight. She will then travel to Guyana and Guadeloupe. We can then adapt our response to the developments in real time.
III- I want to finally get back on the recommendations to pregnant women who planned to visit the areas affected by the epidemic.
My will is not to alarm. My responsibility as Minister of Health, it is to inform, protect - especially pregnant women.
On 19 December, the date of identification of the first case in the country, recommendations began to be disseminated orally in airplanes to and the return of the areas with the virus, be it French Departments States or foreign countries affected by the epidemic.
The opinion of the High Council of Public Health, which was given to me on January 22 stated follow-up recommendations for pregnant women in the affected areas by the virus. It further recommended to pregnant women with a relocation project in the affected territories to postpone their trip. I officially made the recommendation that day and called her back on January 28. Again, the areas concerned are clearly not only the French departments of America. The same recommendation applies to all Latin American countries concerned. Others have made the same recommendation to the attention of their nationals: the United States, Canada and Australia. Brazil itself has recommended that pregnant women not to travel on its territory.
Ladies and gentlemen,
These measures are expected to evolve. We are monitoring the situation in real time. Faced with an alert situation, all is implemented to ensure the safety of our fellow citizens and the protection of pregnant women, for whom the risk is very high.
I will go before the end of the month in the French Departments of America to provide an update on the mobilization of our health system, and make sure the deployed measures to deal with the epidemic.
I thank you.
http://social-sante.gouv.fr/actuali...de-marisol-touraine-conference-de-presse-zika