Obama calls for rapid Zika research as virus seen spreading

[riversedge]

Source: thegazette.com




Obama calls for rapid Zika research as virus seen spreading
The virus, which has no treatment or cure, causes birth defects

Municipal workers gesture before spraying insecticide at the neighborhood of Imbiribeira in Recife, Brazil, January 26, 2016. The operation is part of the city's effort to prevent the spread of Zika's vector, the Aedes aegypti mosquito, according to a statement from Municipal Health Secretary. (Ueslei Marcelino/Reuters)
By Julie Steenhuysen and Roberta Rampton, Reuters
Jan 27, 2016 at 8:07 am | Print View

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Tuesday called for the rapid development of tests, vaccines and treatments to fight the mosquito-transmitted Zika virus, which has been linked to birth defects and could spread to the United States in warmer months.

U.S. health officials are stepping up efforts to study the link between Zika virus infections and birth defects, citing a recent study estimating the virus could reach regions where 60 percent of the U.S. population lives.

Obama was briefed on the potential spread of the virus by his top health and national security officials on Tuesday.

“The president emphasized the need to accelerate research efforts to make available better diagnostic tests, to develop vaccines and therapeutics, and to ensure that all Americans have information about the Zika virus and steps they can take to better protect themselves from infection,” the White House said in a statement.

The virus has been linked to brain damage in thousands of babies in Brazil. There is no vaccine or treatment for Zika, a close cousin of dengue and chikungunya, which causes mild fever and rash. An estimated 80 percent of people infected have no symptoms, making it difficult for pregnant women to know whether they have been infected.

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Read more: http://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/nation-and-world/obama-calls-for-rapid-zika-research-as-virus-seen-spreading-20160127

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[longship]

1. Dr. Steven Novella on Zika yesterday.

From his Neurologica Blog.

http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/the-zika-virus/

An excerpt:

The Zika virus (Flaviviridae, an arbovirus) is spread through Aedes mosquito bites, the same mosquitoes that also spread Dengue fever. The infections themselves are usually mild, causing fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis. Many of those infected may even have a subclinical infection, meaning they do not notice any symptoms.

However, the infection can have complications. There is one case report of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) following a Zika infection. GBS causes inflammation of the lining of nerves resulting primarily in weakness with variable recovery. This does not appear to be a huge risk, but something to monitor.

The bigger concern is about pregnant women being infected. There are numerous reports of poor pregnancy outcomes, mostly microcephaly, in women who have been infected with Zika while pregnant. Microcephaly means small head, and results from poor brain development.

Much more at link.

[Iliyah]

2. K & R

[Botany]

3. We are so lucky that we have President Obama.

The man is really good guy.

[StanP50]

4. BREAKING NEWS

Donald Trump will hold a press conference shortly, he is expected to announce that if and when elected he will ban "All Mosquitos" from the USA, and that this outbreak is all President Obama's fault.

[Quantess]

10. Haha! He probably would say that.

Welcome to DU!

[getagrip_already]

5. waiting for panic to set in on fox....

It can't be long before we have to seal our borders to prevent those filthy columbian immigrants from bringing it here.... (sarcasm)

[Backwoodsrider]

7. fox is unconcerned

... because it only effects women and already born visible children remember they are mainly concerned with middle age white men and aborted fetuses

[Plucketeer]

6. I don't believe in supernatural forces

and I don't believe in scripted destiny for humankind or life in general. But an unstoppable plague that downsizes the brains of the human species. Given what we've done to this planet (and to one another) with our superior brains, could this affliction be the way that the biosphere defends itself? If we're de-evolutionized to the point where we're equal in brain power with most other species, that might be the earths way of coping with our mad-dash pursuit of annihilation.

[Backwoodsrider]

8. yep that is mother earth

some invaders(us humans) are about to experience earth taking care if herself and using a fever to reduce the human population.... sort of like Noah and the Ark but for real this time. Pass the popcorn as long as we got it turning out to be quite the show!

[getagrip_already]

9. I'm not saying....

It's aliens, but it's aliens.

They've done it before by burning libraries and wiping out civilizations, but now they are choosing to attack our brains directly.

It all makes sense. Some Ancient Alien Theorists believe.... LOL!