W.H.O. Declares Zika Virus an International Health Emergency

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

Source: NYTimes

"The World Health Organization on Monday declared the spread of the Zika virus an international public health emergency, a rare move that signals the seriousness of the outbreak and gives countries powerful new tools to fight it."

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/02/health/zika-virus-world-health-organization.html?_r=0

[drm604]

1. A Healthy Emergency?

I think that headline should be "A Health Emergency". There's nothing healthy about it.

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

3. Thanks for the heads up!

nt

[PeoViejo]

2. It's a GOP Plot to increase their Voter Base. n/t

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

4. After the W.H.O. debacle in Africa with Ebola

the W.H.O. had to act quickly. They're still feeling the criticism over their slow response to the Ebola crisis.

We need a definitive answer whether or not this virus is causing brain damage in utero. If the answer is "no," then all the hysteria can stop. If the answer is "yes," then we need a vaccine pronto!

[former9thward]

6. Vaccine years away.

No one can snap their fingers and get a vaccine.

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

7. I know. Which is why I'm glad they didn't sit on this for months.

Last edited Tue Feb 2, 2016, 11:52 AM - Edit history (1)

If it's declared an emergency, more funds will be allocated to research, for starters.

[ZombieHorde]

8. Bwahahahaha! nt

[PeoViejo]

9. Someone got it...

[bananas]

5. association with Guillain-Barré syndrome

http://arstechnica.com/science/2016/02/who-declares-international-public-health-emergency-over-zika-outbreaks/

WHO declares international public health emergency over Zika outbreaks
In Monday meeting, experts called for coordinated boost in surveillance and vaccine.

by Beth Mole - Feb 1, 2016 7:43 pm UTC

<snip>

“Zika alone would not be a public health emergency of international concern,” David Heymann, chair of the WHO Emergency Committee said during the conference. It’s only because of the association with microcephay and Guillain-Barré syndrome, he noted. Usually, Zika, a virus related to dengue and discovered decades ago in Uganda, causes mild illness marked by fever, rashes, and aches.

<snip>

[He loved Big Brother]

10. A spike in GBS would be devastating

My partner has been paralyzed for over a year after a bout of GBS and is still living in a physical therapy center. Guillain Barre is NOT something easily dealt with. While it has low mortality rates, the recovery takes years and most never recover fully. The economical toll alone would ruin any lower-income families whose relative(s) contracted it, as months of hospitalization and years of treatment are often needed for the patient to regain function. I'm hoping the WHO brings new tools to help research and battle GBS to nations, since so very little is known about it.

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

11. I'm so sorry to her that your partner has GBS

Yes, people are laughing about Zika as if it's nothing, but this could be devastating if not brought under control.

I'm hoping that the rise in birth defects is actually attributable to something else. I hope we get answers soon.

[He loved Big Brother]

12. Thanks TexasMommaWithAHat

He has a good chance at recovery, just takes forever. They nicknamed it Getting Better Slowly, heh. I do hope the risk of GBS will make people sit up and pay attention. Maybe this is overly optimistic, but perhaps some good will come of this. Like regarding medical research into GBS (of which very little is known) and lowering malaria rates at the same time we are eradicating this problem.

[PasadenaTrudy]

13. A friend of mine had GBS

So scary how it came on so suddenly! She was in her 60s and she's doing really well now at 72. Wishing your friend good health!

[He loved Big Brother]

14. Glad to hear she's doing so well!

Just goes to show, it's not always about age, but rather about being a trooper and having the fortitude to overcome!

Thank you for the well wishes.

[smirkymonkey]

15. K&R