Understanding Surprise - Zika Virus, Emerging Diseases, and ProMED

     

November 10, 2015

Dear Colleagues,

The only surprise is that we are continually surprised when a new virus pops up unexpectedly in a locality where it has never occurred before.

The arrival of Zika virus in Brazil is a current example and the ongoing story has been posted regularly by ProMED-mail. In February of this year, the Brazil Secretariat of Health Surveillance began monitoring cases of febrile disease with rash in the northeast region of the country. In April, Zika virus infections were confirmed. This was surprising because the virus had never before been detected in the Americas – until now it had only been identified in Africa, Asia, and, most recently, the Pacific islands and Cape Verde.

The Zika virus, like those of chikungunya and dengue, is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. How did the virus get to Brazil? One hypothesis is that a viremic individual who came to the FIFA World Cup matches landed in a place, perhaps Bahia, where the mosquito vectors were abundant, sparking the outbreak. The virus subsequently spread to states across the country. Very recently it arrived in Colombia and Suriname. Given their proximity and the monthly flow of people across these countries' borders, it seems very likely that the means of introduction was infected travelers.

With no ecological or epidemiological barriers to halt it, it is likely that Zika virus will continue to spread in the Americas to those countries where the vector mosquito is present – those localities that regularly have dengue and chikungunya outbreaks. ProMED-mail will continue to document its progress as it occurs, as well as that of other viruses that appear or reappear around the world, keeping those of you involved in patient care and the control and prevention of diseases and the interested public well-informed of situations in a timely way.

Our understanding of emerging infectious diseases and their drivers - our knowledge of how to prevent diseases and how to treat them when they strike - evolves constantly. Keeping abreast of these changes is a daunting task. ProMED makes it easier. ProMED is here to keep you informed of outbreaks when and where they happen. ProMED puts the news in context. Its analysis helps you understand what it means for you and your work, you and your world. ProMED supports a global network so that you get the news you need.

To make sure ProMED is there when you need it, we need your help. Please donate to ProMED now.

 

Best wishes,

Tom Yuill