Zika virus sparks 'public health emergency'
The World Health Organization declared a "public health emergency of international concern" Monday over the Zika virus and the health problems that doctors fear it is causing.
The agency said the emergency is warranted because of how fast the mosquito-borne virus is spreading and its suspected link to an alarming spike in babies born with abnormally small heads a condition called microcephaly in Brazil and French Polynesia.
Reports of a serious neurological condition, called Guillame-Barre Syndrome, that can lead to paralysis, have also risen in areas where the virus has been reported. Health officials have specifically seen clusters of this in El Salvador, Brazil and French Polynesia, according to WHO's Dr. Bruce Aylward.
The conditions have not yet been conclusively linked to the virus.
"The experts agreed that a causal relationship between Zika infection during pregnancy and microcephaly is strongly suspected, though not yet scientifically proven," Dr. Margaret Chan, the WHO director-general said.
But the large area potentially affected by the virus, the lack of vaccines and reliable diagnostic tests, and lack of population immunity in the affected ｃountries contributed to the need for the declaration, according to the WHO. Chan described Zika as an "extraordinary event" after the first meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee in Geneva, Switzerland.
"Members of the committee admit that the situation meets the conditions for a public health emergency of international concern," she said. "I have accepted this advice. I am now declaring that the recent cluster of microcephaly and other neurological abnormalities reported in Latin America following a similar cluster in French Polynesia in 2014 constitutes a public health emergency of international concern."
The declaration is intended to facilitate international coordination of tracking, research and response to the virus and its effects.
Aylward was clear the Zika virus itself is, "not a clinically serious infection," but that the associated concerns prompted the move.
Last week, the agency said the virus was "spreading explosively" in the Americas, with as many as 3 million to 4 million infections possible over 12 months.
On Monday, the Pan American Health Organization added Costa Rica and Jamaica to the list of nations in the Americas where Zika virus is currently circulating. There are 28 nations currently on the list and health officials say they are monitoring the situation carefully and updating the list as necessary.
Vocabulary:
1. spike - n. A sharp increase in the magnitude or concentration of something
2. paralysis - n. The loss of the ability to move (and sometimes to feel anything) in part or most of the body, typically as a result of illness, poison, or injury
3. cluster - n. A group of similar things or people positioned or occurring closely together
4. conclusive - adj. (Of evidence or argument) having or likely to have the effect of proving a case decisive
5. declaration - n. A formal or explicit statement or announcement
Discussion:
1. The Zirka virus is currently known to affect South American ｃountries but should this be a global concern?
2. Do you think people should be alarmed with the growing increase of newly discovered diseases? Why?
3. Are there government agencies in your ｃountry directly taking care of disease outbreaks? What are they?
4. How do you keep yourself healthy?
5. Prevention is better than cure - Do you believe this statement? Why or why not.
