Latest news with #ZikaVirus
BBC News
03-08-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Ten years after the Zika outbreak: What happened to the babies born with microcephaly?
When Rute Freires was told by a doctor that her newborn daughter Tamara wouldn't live long, she started crying had microcephaly - an abnormally small head - one of many conditions resulting from her mother being infected with the Zika virus while nine-years-old, Tamara eats through a stomach tube. Her hands are increasingly stiff and contracted and she has a hard time holding her head still."I was told early on that she wouldn't walk, she wouldn't speak nor smile," says Rute. "And yet I would ask every doctor I visited: 'My kid is going to walk, right?'"Rute's daughter is one of the nearly 2,000 babies born to women who contracted the mosquito-borne virus in Brazil between 2015 and then, the country was preparing to host the Olympics and the world watched with concern as the virus spread across Brazil as well as to dozens of other Love Stories: I went to Brazil to find out how families are coping A public health emergency was declared by the World Health Organization and Brazilian authorities, whose warning remained in place until May still not clear why the outbreak spontaneously ceased and it hasn't resurged over the past disappeared from the public eye, and families dealing with its long-lasting consequences have been largely to government figures, 261 children diagnosed with congenital Zika syndrome - a pattern of birth defects caused by infections during pregnancy - have died. Hundreds more have seen their health conditions is one of them. She lives in Maceió, a coastal city in north-eastern Brazil, where 75% of the cases of congenital Zika virus syndrome in the country were registered. Scientists still don't have a conclusive explanation of why that region was the most affected. Congenital Zika syndrome is characterised by heart problems, joint issues and difficulty co-ordinating chewing and swallowing. Most of those with it do not go through traditional development milestones like crawling, eating, walking, speaking or potty deal with the challenges of raising her daughter, Rute joined forces with other affected mothers. She first met them in a support group put together by local health authorities in 2016."There were so many kids with the same syndrome as Tamara. We started talking to each other, exchanging information… and things finally started to make sense."But life was still difficult. A year on, the women felt they weren't getting enough support from local authorities. So they formed an independent group, with bespoke yellow shirts, to help each other - and demand more. Moving in together Many of the mothers had stopped working and were living off state benefits of around $265 (£199; €230) per month - the minimum wage. They found themselves in legal battles against the healthcare system trying to secure surgeries, wheelchairs, medication and baby had been abandoned by their husbands - some of whom have remarried and formed new founder of the association, Alessandra Hora, says men rarely came to the group."I heard from many women that their husbands felt they were putting being a mother before the role of wife," she tells the women have found new ways of organising their lives. After making an application to public housing authorities, almost 15 were able to move into the same complex, where they've now lived for five years."Our goal was for them to live close to one another so they could help each other - to be the support network that most don't have," says started taking care of her grandson Erik, who has congenital Zika syndrome, after her son was murdered in their neighbourhood on the outskirts of Maceió.Rute moved to the Zika mothers' housing block after her became close to her neighbours Anne Caroline da Silva Rosa and Lenice França, whose children Moisés and Enzo also have congenital Zika syndrome. Like Tamara, Moisés eats through a feeding tube that comes out of his stomach. He can no longer stand, but he manages a faint smile when his little sister Maria covers him in hugs and is one of the few children with Zika-related microcephaly who has more autonomy. After many years in and out of hospitals, the nine-year-old is now able to walk and so close to one another means the mothers have been able to share tips on how to handle their children's complex health conditions. But there have been other benefits started taking night classes when Anne Caroline and Lenice offered to look after Tamara - meaning she could resume her studies and obtain a high-school can neither walk nor speak, as doctors predicted. A few years ago, she couldn't fix her gaze on an object either - but thanks to physical therapy she can now even recognise herself in the eyes follow her mother everywhere she goes. They usually stare at each other when Rute is cuddling with her on the couch and stroking her long curly hair. Winning higher compensation The mothers' decade-long battle for better financial assistance has also paid December, Brazil's Congress approved a bill introduced back in 2015 that would see families affected by Zika receive compensation of $8,800, and monthly payments of $1,325 - five times higher than the current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva vetoed the bill, saying its financial implications were unclear. His administration had instead proposed a one-off payment of $10, like Mardjane Lemos, the doctor who diagnosed some of the first cases of Zika-related microcephaly, said this was far from enough. She argued that state authorities had failed the families on multiple levels - failing to contain the virus and under-compensating affected children for years. Alagoas state's health department said the virus situation in the region had improved in recent years thanks to their efforts in educating citizens to clear stagnant water and training health surveillance didn't respond to questions about how the state has supported families affected by Zika ultimately, the mothers were Lula's veto on the bill was overturned and they were told they would receive the full levels of compensation approved in the 2015 bill. Mysterious drop in cases Even though the number of Zika cases and births of babies with the syndrome have sharply dropped, a new outbreak is possible as the cause of the decline is still unknown, says Ms Lemos."The boom in cases seems to have spontaneously ceased. This leads to the theory that there is some natural immunity. But is that really the case? How long does it last? We do not know," she points out.A decade on from the outbreak, a lack of research has left many questions unanswered. For example, why was north-eastern Brazil so badly hit, especially poor women there?One study suggests that it might be related to maternal malnutrition. Another proposes that water contaminated with a bacteria may have produced a nerve-damaging toxin making the effects of the virus on the babies' brains worse. Congenital brain malformation researcher Patrícia Garcez and neuroscientist Stevens Rehen, who led the two projects respectively, have told the BBC they believe the answer may be a combination of these and other factors."We know a little more now [about] the environmental factors that may have contributed to the higher prevalence, but we don't fully understand how they have contributed," says Dr Garcez, who teaches at King's College London, highlighting the lack of research as a lack of research might have to do with the fact that those affected are predominantly poor, says Ms the uncertainty, winning the battle for compensation has given Rute a new sense of optimism for the future."I felt such joy when I heard the news, I wanted to scream," she she's aiming to get a qualification in education and a well-paid job. She wants private health insurance for Tamara and dreams of buying a car one day, to take her to medical appointments."Some of the mothers thought this day wouldn't come," she adds. "But I didn't give up hope."
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Travel + Leisure
06-06-2025
- Health
- Travel + Leisure
This Popular U.S. Destination Has the First Confirmed Zika Virus Case in 6 Years—What Travelers Should Know
If you're headed to Oahu this summer, be aware that a mosquito-borne menace is back on the island. For the first time since 2019, Zika virus has been detected on Oahu, with the Hawaii Department of Health confirming one case. There are also two other suspected exposures to the Zika virus. The one case of Zika was imported into Hawaii by a traveler and did not originate on the island. It is not endemic in Hawaii. However, the virus is capable of spreading from an infected person, to a mosquito, and on to another person. Hawaii does have the type of mosquitos that can spread Zika, but the virus is not established in the state. 'The DOH asks for support in reducing the potential for the spread of Zika virus, which is carried by mosquitoes. Vector control teams are responding and will continue operations in areas where the individuals spent time, including neighborhoods in Waialua/Haleʻiwa area on Oʻahu,' the Hawaii Department of Heath said in a statement obtained by Travel + Leisure . 'DOH will continue to monitor mosquito activity in the affected areas and implement further control measures as needed.' Symptoms of Zika virus can include fever, rash, headache, joint pain, and pink eye. However, about 80 percent of Zika cases are asymptomatic, according to the Hawaii Department of Health. The virus is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, as it can be passed to their fetus and cause serious birth defects and pregnancy complications. Zika is mostly spread by mosquitos who have already bitten someone infected with Zika. It can also be spread through sexual contact. Other less common but possible means of transmission are infected blood transfusions, infected organ transplants, breastfeeding, or occupational exposure in healthcare settings. The Department of Health is encouraging both visitors and residents to take measures to prevent the spread of Zika by applying EPA-approved insect repellent on exposed skin, keeping mosquitos out of buildings by making sure doors close properly, wearing loose-fitting clothing, and removing standing water around buildings that can become a breeding ground for mosquitos. 'Travelers should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites during their trips, and for three weeks after returning,' the statement from the DOH states. 'Travelers returning from an area with risk of Zika should take steps to prevent mosquito bites for three weeks after their return. Anyone experiencing symptoms within two weeks after visiting an area with risk of Zika should consult a health care provider and inform them of possible exposure in a Zika-affected area. Testing is not routinely recommended for travelers who do not have symptoms.' Oahu is the third largest of Hawaii's islands, and contains the capital of Honolulu. It's world-famous for its pristine beaches (including Waikiki Beach), luxury hotels, and excellent surfing opportunities.
The Independent
30-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Remember Zika virus? Hawaii confirms case after six years of no known exposures
Hawaii officials are investigating a confirmed travel-related case of Zika virus on the island of Oʻahu, reigniting concerns over the mosquito-borne illness that once made global headlines. While this means the Zika virus was not acquired on the island, two other people are also being monitored for potential exposure to the virus, the state's Department of Health said. The Independent contacted representatives from the department for more information. Hawaiian officials are also working to identify potential mosquito breeding sites and urging the public to take precautions, particularly as summer travel and tourism reach their peak. They ask that the public eliminate standing water around homes and use mosquito repellent, especially during dawn and dusk when pests are most active. Zika virus is primarily transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes, but can also be spread through sexual contact. The virus can pose significant health risks, especially for pregnant women. Symptoms of the Zika virus - including fever, rash, joint pain and red eye - are generally mild. They may go unnoticed in many cases, with only one in five people infected with Zika developing symptoms, according to the Cleveland Clinic. However, because symptoms can be similar to those of other mosquito-borne illnesses, such as dengue or chikungunya, proper diagnosis by a healthcare provider is essential, especially for women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Hawaii last reported a travel-related Zika case in 2019, with the highest number of cases, 25, occurring in 2017 when fears of the virus dominated headlines. No locally acquired Zika cases have ever been documented in the state, the HDOH says. The Zika virus attracted international attention nearly a decade ago due to its link to severe birth defects, most notably microcephaly in infants born to mothers infected during pregnancy. The virus prompted global public health responses, especially in the Americas and Southeast Asia.
Daily Mail
29-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Doctors sound alarm as paralysis-causing Zika virus hits US vacation hotspot
A mosquito-borne virus linked to birth defects and paralysis has been detected in Hawaii for the first time in years. The state's health department revealed one confirmed case of Zika virus and two cases under surveillance. The confirmed case was a person who had traveled from overseas, while officials have pinpointed two individuals who 'may have been exposed'. All three patients spent their time on the island of Oʻahu and in the sparsely-populated north shore neighborhoods of Waialua and Haleʻiwa. It is the first reported case of Zika in Hawaii since 2019. Zika virus is transmitted by the Aedes species of mosquito, which also spread dengue and chikungunya viruses. They are common in Texas, Florida and elsewhere in the US, particularly in the south. Most adults do not become seriously ill from the infection, but in rare cases it can cause damage to the nerves, brain, or spinal cord as well as a blood disorder that can result in bleeding, bruising or slow blood clotting. Zika infection during pregnancy can also cause serious birth defects and is linked to pregnancy complications, including miscarriage, stillbirth and preterm birth. In the US, Zika virus cases are mostly travel-associated, with limited local transmission. The number of cases has varied significantly year to year, with a high point in 2016. In that year, there were over 5,000 travel-associated cases, with 224 locally acquired cases. However, following this high, the number of cases dropped significantly, to over 400 in 2017 and in 2023, there were just 7 confirmed cases. Hawaii's health department says it is currently monitoring mosquito activity in the affected areas and will 'implement further control measures as needed'. Residents and tourists alike are being urged to take additional precautions to reduce mosquito breeding and avoid bites. Some of the recommendations on a health advisory include wearing insect repellent at all times while outdoors and dressing in loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and pants. Islanders have also been instructed to check their insect screens are intact, with doors kept closed. Meanwhile, any standing water around homes and buildings should be removed, as this is where mosquitos tend to breed. Once it takes hold in a human host, the Zika virus can be spread between people during unprotected sex, and from pregnant mothers to their children. The virus has been found in semen, vaginal fluids, saliva, urine and breast milk. Zika virus symptoms are typically mild and may include fever, rash, headache, joint pain, red eyes and muscle pain. Symptoms typically last a few days to a week. About 80 percent of Zika infections are asymptomatic. There is no preventive vaccine or treatment, according to the CDC. Fetuses' brains can be affected by the virus when it is passed on from the mother and it can cause microcephaly. Microcephaly is a condition in which babies' heads are unusually small, which can lead to seizures, delayed development and other disabilities. The virus can also increase the risk of unborn children developing Guillain-Barre syndrome – an uncommon illness in which the immune system attacks the nerves and can cause muscle weakness and paralysis. While Hawaii has the mosquito species capable of transmitting Zika, health officials say the virus is not established in the region. Mosquito-borne disease experts are concerned that as global temperatures continue to rise, warmer, more humid weather will become the norm in new places, making those locations the perfect breeding grounds for mosquito populations to flourish. And as temperatures heat up and mosquitoes migrate to places they previously couldn't thrive in, their extended reach and longer lifespans give them ample opportunity to spread diseases in new parts of the world. To date, Zika has been most prevalent in Central and South America, Africa and South East Asia. There was an outbreak of the virus in Brazil's capital, Rio de Janeiro, in 2016, and there were fears that year's Olympic Games would have to be cancelled after more than 200 academics wrote to the World Health Organization warning about it.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
History's worst pandemics and epidemics that shook the world including COVID-19, AIDS and more
Epidemics and pandemics are two of the worst tragedies in the history of humankind, killing millions and transforming whole civilizations. Though medicine and epidemiology have made great strides in being able to prevent and treat such outbreaks, history still reads like a book of horror with ruinous loss and tremendous social upheaval. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now From the broad impact of contemporary pandemics to those that hit ancient civilizations, every outbreak has imprinted its signature on history. This timeline emphasises the world's worst pandemics and epidemics, from the most recent to the oldest, highlighting their devastating effects and the advances made in avoiding future catastrophes. List of the deadliest epidemics and pandemics in history Pandemic / epidemic Year of spread Cause Estimated deaths Region(s) affected COVID-19 Pandemic 2019-Present SARS-CoV-2 (Coronavirus) 6.4 million+ Global Zika Virus epidemic 2015-Present Zika Virus (Mosquito-borne) N/A (birth defects) South America, Central America, parts of the US West African Ebola epidemic 2014-2016 Ebola Virus 11,325 Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, other parts of Africa H1N1 Swine Flu Pandemic 2009-2010 H1N1 Influenza 151,700–575,400 Global AIDS Pandemic and Epidemic 1981-Present HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) 35 million+ Global (especially sub-Saharan Africa) Asian Flu 1957-1958 H2N2 Influenza 1 million+ Asia, Europe, North America Spanish Flu 1918-1920 H1N1 Influenza 50 million+ Global American Polio epidemic 1916 Poliovirus 6,000 United States Flu Pandemic (Russian Flu) 1889-1890 H3N8 Influenza 1 million Global Philadelphia Yellow Fever epidemic 1793 Yellow Fever (Mosquito-borne) 5,000 Philadelphia, USA Russian Plague 1770-1772 Yersinia pestis (Bubonic Plague) 100,000 Russia Great Plague of Marseille 1720-1723 Yersinia pestis (Bubonic Plague) 100,000+ France (Marseille) Great Plague of London 1665-1666 Yersinia pestis (Bubonic Plague) 100,000 London, England American Plagues 16th Century Smallpox, Measles, Influenza 90% of Indigenous population Americas (especially Aztec and Inca Empires) Cocoliztli epidemic 1545-1548 Likely Hemorrhagic Fever 15 million Mexico, Central America Plague of Justinian 541-542 AD Yersinia pestis (Bubonic Plague) 25-50 million Byzantine Empire, Europe, Asia Plague of Cyprian 250-271 AD Viral Hemorrhagic Fever N/A (Thousands daily) Roman Empire Antonine Plague 165-180 AD Smallpox (likely) 5 million Roman Empire Plague of Athens 430 BC Likely Typhoid Fever 100,000 Athens, Greece Prehistoric epidemic Circa 3000 BC Likely Infectious Disease N/A China Most lethal global health crises COVID-19 pandemic (2019-Present) The pandemic due to the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 started in December 2019 and up to now. The pandemic increased very fast, infected hundreds of millions, and killed more than 6.4 million people up to mid-2022. The pandemic disturbed normal life, created epidemic disease, and overwhelmed the world's healthcare system. Vaccines and drugs reduced its impact everywhere but COVID-19 is still a public health issue. Zika virus epidemic (2015-Present) The Zika virus epidemic, which started in 2015, decimated South America, Central America, and a portion of the United States. Zika virus is transmitted and disseminated by the mosquito, leading to flu-like illness in adults but microcephaly as a congenital defect in infants born to affected mothers. Population control of mosquitoes has been one of the foundations of measures in preventing further spread. West African Ebola epidemic (2014-2016) In 2014-2016, Ebola struck West Africa and resulted in more than 28,000 cases with 11,325 fatalities. The pandemic mostly ravaged Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, but to a lesser extent was seen from Nigeria, Mali, Senegal, and other locations outside Africa. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Though no exact cure has been discovered for Ebola, its treatment and vaccine production have greatly enhanced since this pandemic. H1N1 Swine Flu pandemic (2009-2010) H1N1 flu or Swine Flu broke out in Mexico during the spring of 2009 and spread across the globe quickly. It infected nearly 1.4 billion individuals within one year and resulted in the deaths of approximately 151,700 to 575,400 individuals. Young adults and children were attacked by the flu more often than the remaining parts of the flu viruses responsible for killing older people. The production of vaccinations at a relatively fast pace withheld the spread of the virus. AIDS epidemic and pandemic (1981-Present) Even though since its discovery in the early 1980s, HIV virus-inducing AIDS has already claimed over 35 million lives worldwide, AIDS has been cured by antiretroviral therapy (ART) and HIV-positive individuals have lived long and healthy years because they were once an international health emergency. The disease is still a large health problem even though it can be treated, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Asian Flu (1957-1958) The Asian Flu epidemic, which spread from China, took more than 1 million lives worldwide. The H2N2 flu virus devastated Asia, Europe, and North America to wholesale illness and death. Young adults were viciously decimated by the flu, and response globally prompted record-breaking breakthrough in vaccine science and pandemic preparation. Spanish Flu (1918-1920) The 1918-1920 Spanish Flu pandemic was the deadliest to have struck, claiming an estimated 50 million and infecting about one-third of the global population. The illness spread quickly after World War I, driven by unhygienic war situations. Although the illness was named the Spanish Flu, the illness was not Spanish, but due to the fact that it was neutral and didn't have war censorship, it became associated with Spain. The flu was very lethal because it was not vaccine-backed and ineffective medicine couldn't stop it. American polio epidemic (1916) The 1916 US polio epidemic already claimed the lives of 27,000 victims and 6,000 deaths. Polio is common among children and only incapacitates and kills a handful. Following decades of sporadic epidemics, the arrival of the Salk vaccine in 1954 had drastically reduced polio cases. The United States officially declared itself polio-free in 1979, although the disease remains a public health issue in some parts of the world today. Flu pandemic (1889-1890) The 1889-1890 flu pandemic, Russian Flu, spread at full speed with new transport connections in the age of industry and reached the world within a few months. It caused approximately 1 million fatalities. In the absence of modern transport, the virus propagated on railway and sea links at maximum speed, particularly along transport corridors from Europe to Asia and North America. The rate of pandemic spread also indicated the vulnerability of the public health system of the time. Philadelphia yellow fever epidemic (1793) Yellow fever devastated the American capital, Philadelphia, in 1793. Mosquito-borne illness killed over 5,000, 10% of the population. Everyone was panicked and public health measures were delayed, with authorities believing that slaves were immune to it. Autumn weather and dead mosquitoes did not arrive until the end of the epidemic. Russian Plague (1770-1772) The Russian Moscow Plague of 1770-1772 was followed by riots, violence, and mass hysteria. The plague caused an estimated death toll of 100,000 and reduced public order in the Russian Empire to zero. Empress Catherine the Great herself was unable to restore normalcy after the devastation. The plague introduced mass political unrest into Russia. Great Plague of Marseille (1720-1723) The Great Marseille Plague started in 1720 when an eastern Mediterranean vessel had landed in France with plague-ridden fleas and rats on board. More than 100,000 people in Marseille and nearby settlements were killed by the disease over a period of three years. The disease spread swiftly as there were no draconian quarantine laws in place and thus there was a health epidemic of very serious proportions across south France. Great Plague of London (1665-1666) The London Great Plague, the final of the Black Death's plagues of great height in Britain, started in 1665. It murdered an estimated 100,000, or 15% of urban residents. It rapidly spread in the city's muck and poisonous air. The plague was ultimately ended by the Great Fire of London in 1666 that destroyed much of the city, including infected districts. American Plagues (16th Century) American Plagues were diseases that the Europeans brought with them to the Americas in the 16th century. Smallpox and measles and other foreign diseases killed among the people in the native tribes, leading to the fall of the Inca and Aztec empires. About 90% of the native population of the Americas were wiped out by the diseases and thus paved the way for Europe to be conquered. Cocoliztli epidemic (1545-1548) 1545-1548 Cocoliztli plague which killed Mexico and Central America was estimated at 15 million individuals dead. Plague which appeared in the form of hemorrhagic fever infected the nation at lightning-fast speeds, killing weakened Native groups as a result of other plagues as well as due to drought already prevalent in those lands. One of the further causes for the collapse of the Aztec Empire. Plague of Justinian (541-542 AD) Plague of Justinian, where in the Byzantine Empire this happened under Emperor Justinian I, was due to the bacterium Yersinia pestis. The plague killed 25-50 million and up to 10% of the world's population. The plague undermined the power of the Byzantine Empire and established the cyclical plagues which devastated Europe for centuries. Plague of Cyprian (250-271 AD) The Plague of Cyprian, which is named for the bishop who chronicled the epidemic, killed thousands of people a day within the Roman Empire. The epidemic is estimated to have been one of viral hemorrhagic fever, and the contagiousness of the epidemic so rapidly caused the empire to be vulnerable to invasion. As many as 5,000 people per day were reported dead in Rome alone. Antonine Plague (165-180 AD) Antonine Plague, caused by smallpox, during the rule of Marcus Aurelius in the Roman Empire. It killed a total estimated number of about 5 million individuals, including soldiers returning from their campaigns in the East. It hastened the onset of the end of the Pax Romana and the ease with which the Roman Empire collapsed. Plague of Athens (430 BC) The Athenian Plague had occurred in the second year of the Athens-Sparta conflict during the time of the Peloponnesian War. The epidemic killed approximately 100,000 people, among them the Athenian statesman Pericles. Town overcrowding had caused the epidemic because all Athenians had found refuge behind the city walls. There is no etiology but typhoid fever is one of the best-known hypotheses of the epidemic. Prehistoric epidemic (c. 3000 BC) A find of a 5,000-year-old Chinese hut containing skeletons confirms an ancient epidemic. All the skeletons were found within one hut and must have been killed by a contagious disease. They were not segregated by age, and later the hut went up in flames, which indicated the scale of the disaster. The find confirms that epidemics have been happening among human beings for centuries. Epidemic vs Pandemic Epidemic: Epidemic is used for the unforeseen outbreak of an illness occurring among a vast populace or great tract of area. It starts emerging suddenly and propagates itself within that particular tract or group in a sudden way. epidemics usually spread in a concentrated geographic area or across a defined tract, i.e., emergence of influenza over a city or province. Pandemic: A pandemic is an epidemic that has covered different countries or continents and infected most of the world's population. It is usually caused by a new disease or a mutation of a current one, and thus more contagious and difficult to control. An example of a pandemic is the COVID-19 pandemic, which infected the entire world.
