Zika News and Updates on Insect Borne Diseases

Zika: Then, now, and tomorrow

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Zika: Then, now, and tomorrow
Where do we stand one year after WHO announced Zika as a public health emergency? International spread has continued, while surveillance has improved. In line with WHO advice, innovative approaches to mosquito control are being piloted in countries and WHO will provide sustained guidance for effective interventions and support for families, communities, and countries experiencing Zika virus.

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Zika Birth Defects More Far-Reaching Than Thought

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Zika Birth Defects More Far-Reaching Than Thought Studies found greater prevalence than believed, more neurological problems cropping up months after birth By Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter WEDNESDAY, Dec. 14, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Zika's ability to damage the infant brain may be even more far-reaching and insidious than previously thought, two new studies suggest. One … Read more

Mosquitoes Can Deliver Virus Double Whammy

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Mosquitoes Can Deliver Virus Double Whammy And like Zika, dengue and chikungunya can also cause neurological problems, study found WebMD News from HealthDay By Robert Preidt HealthDay Reporter MONDAY, Nov. 14, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Mosquitoes can infect people with Zika and chikungunya viruses at the same time, new research suggests. And another study found … Read more

Antibody Treatment Shields Fetus From Zika in Mice

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Antibody Treatment Shields Fetus From Zika in Mice Human-derived protein shows promise, but must still be tested in human trials WebMD News from HealthDay By Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter MONDAY, Nov. 7, 2016 (HealthDay News) — An antibody derived from the blood of Zika-infected people may have the potential to protect developing fetuses from the … Read more

Bacteria Shown to Stop Transmission of Mosquito-borne Illness

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Researchers in Australia have shown that introducing a naturally-occurring bacterium in the wild, called Wolbachia, can control mosquitoes that cause Dengue fever. Wolbachia occurs naturally in 60 percent of all insect species, but not in Aedes aegypti, say experts. That’s the mosquito that spreads dengue. The mosquito species can also transmit Zika virus, yellow fever … Read more

Zika virus infection alters human and viral RNA

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Public Release: 20-Oct-2016 Zika virus infection alters human and viral RNA Findings may influence vaccine and therapy development University of California – San Diego IMAGE: Human cells modify viral RNA with m6A as a means to get rid of the infection. M6A (shown here as red balls) is a beacon for human enzymes (yellow moons)… … Read more

Feds Use Medicaid, Children’s Services Funds to Avoid Delaying Zika Vaccine Research

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Feds Use Funds for Medicaid, Children's Services to Avoid Delaying Zika Vaccine Research 0 Shares Email Star Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesA plane sprays pesticide over Miami's Wynwood neighborhood on Aug. 6, 2016 in Miami. 0 Shares Email Federal health officials have been forced to take $81 million in funds from various government programs, including the Centers … Read more

Zika virus can damage fetal brain late in pregnancy: Study

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WEDNESDAY, Oct. 12, 2016 — The Zika virus may harm a baby's brain even if the mother is infected just before giving birth, a new study suggests.
It had been believed that Zika infection posed a threat to a baby's brain only if the mother was infected during the first trimester.

Since the Zika outbreak began in Brazil in April 2015, thousands of babies have been born with the devastating birth defect known as microcephaly, in which the head and brain are abnormally small.

The new study included 55 Brazilian women infected by Zika during pregnancy and their infants. Medical imaging revealed that four infants whose mothers were infected with Zika between two weeks and one week before birth had central nervous system lesions characteristic of viral infections.

“These infants were born with normal length and weight, and without microcephaly or any other symptoms of the disease. The lesions would have gone unnoticed by health workers if the mothers hadn't been part of a st..

DEET Repellents Safe in Pregnancy to Prevent Zika, Researchers Say

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DEET Repellents Safe in Pregnancy to Prevent Zika, Researchers Say Analysis of available evidence on the insecticide finds no cause for concern WebMD News from HealthDay By Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter MONDAY, Oct. 10, 2016 (HealthDay News) — DEET insect repellents won't harm a pregnant woman or her fetus when used as instructed to prevent … Read more

DEET Repellents Safe in Pregnancy to Prevent Zika

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DEET Repellents Safe in Pregnancy to Prevent Zika Analysis of available evidence on the insecticide finds no cause for concern WebMD News from HealthDay By Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter MONDAY, Oct. 10, 2016 (HealthDay News) — DEET insect repellents won't harm a pregnant woman or her fetus when used as instructed to prevent infection with … Read more

Protecting Yourself from Zika While at Work

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Zika is causing a scare on a global scale. Everyone cannot help but think about the possible effects of this seemingly harmless virus. Initially, many people did not think much about Zika. The mild symptoms are the reason behind this. Eventually, as more and more people become infected, the Zika threat finally catches a significant … Read more