Concern over Zika virus outbreak: another alarming global threat

Abstract

Zika virus, as highlighted by the World Health Organization in February 2016, has emerged as a public health emergency of international concern. Zika virus is enveloped and icosahedral, and has a nonsegmented, single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genome. It belongs to Flaviviridae family. Aedes aegypticus mosquito is the known vector. Transmission is anthroponotic (human to vector to human) during outbreaks, or occurs perinatally in utero, sexually, and via transfusion of infected blood. Zika virus is turning out to be a major public health concern. Not only has it shown dramatic teratogenic association and caused serious neurological concerns but it has also spread around the globe. Countries that have not yet been affected by Zika virus should adopt proper preventive methods to limit its spread in the population.

Global risk mapping for major diseases transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus

“…Especially over the past 30 years, the distribution and public health impact of these arboviruses have increased dramatically (Carlson et al, 2016; Hafiz et al, 2016; Bhatt et al, 2013; Charrel et al, 2014; Messina et al, 2016; Jentes et al, 2011; Nanyingi et al, 2015), due to the widespread distribution of their vectors paired with increases in trade and travel (Kraemer et al 2015c). A considerable number of studies have mapped the global or regional distribution of A. aegypti and A. albopictus , determined their ecological requirements, and described their habitats (Khormi and Kumar, 2014; Brady et al, 2013; Cianci et al, 2015; Rao et al, 1973; David et al, 2016; Brady et al, 2014; Li et al, 2014).…”

Health care providers’ compliance with the notifiable diseases surveillance system in South Africa

“…The 2014 to 2016 Ebola Virus Disease outbreak [ 1 ], the 2016 Zika virus [ 2 ] and yellow fever outbreaks [ 3 ] underscore the need for effective country-based notifiable diseases surveillance systems (NDSS). An effective NDSS enables a country to deal with outbreaks of emerging and re-emerging communicable diseases at source and to prevent their spread within and beyond its borders.…”

Comparing laboratory surveillance with the notifiable diseases surveillance system in South Africa

“…1 Outbreaks of emerging and re-emerging communicable diseases threaten the health and wellbeing of communities, and when uncontrolled, can lead to a global threat. National and global disease vulnerabilities were demonstrated by the 2014-2016 Ebola virus disease outbreak, 2 the 2016 Zika virus outbreak, 3 and the 2016 yellow fever outbreak. 4 When a country deals effectively with an outbreak at source, it prevents the spread of the disease beyond its borders, thus preventing spillovers into neighbouring countries and beyond.…”