Zika virus outbreak in the Pacific update
The latest numbers for the Zika fever outbreak in the two, French, Pacific island territories were released today by the ECDC and here is the update:
In French Polynesia, 61 new suspected cases were recorded during the last week bringing the number of suspected cases to 8,503. One additional case of Guillain-Barré syndrome has been reported since the last update. There have been 74 cases of neurological and auto-immune complications of which 41 cases were Guillain-Barré syndrome. The outbreak is declining in the majority of the islands.
In New Caledonia, an additional 73 autochthonous cases of Zika virus (ZIKAV) infection were reported during the last week. As of 26 February 2014, 140 confirmed cases have been reported, of which 32 are imported cases.
Norway’s Folkehelseinstituttet reported one case in a resident who traveled to Tahiti earlier this week.
On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an updated travel notice for New Caledonia.
Zika fever is an illness caused by a virus that spread through mosquito bites. It is closely related to dengue virus and causes a similar illness. Symptoms of Zika fever may include fever, headache, red eyes, rash, muscle aches, and joint pains. The illness is usually mild and lasts 4-7 days.
Travelers who go to certain places in Africa, Asia, and the Western Pacific are at risk of getting Zika virus. The mosquito that carries Zika virus can bite during the day and night, both indoors and outdoors, and often lives around buildings in urban areas.
There is currently no vaccine or medicine to prevent Zika fever. Travelers can protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites.
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