Summary: Zika virus is an emerging mosquito-borne virus predominately transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquitoes (A.aegypti and A.albopictus) - the same type of mosquitoes that spreads dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever. The Zika virus is spreading rapidly and increasing scientific evidence is demonstrating the impact of the virus, especially on pregnant women and their infants is far greater than first reported.
Since the initial reports in early February of a potential link between Zika and microcephaly – babies born with unusually small heads - consensus that Zika has a causal link to Microcephaly has been established and goes further, linking Zika to severe foetal deformations and disorders of the central nervous system including Guillain Barre syndrome. There is also now clear evidence of non-vector related transmission of Zika Virus through sexual contact increasing the risk of spread to non-infected areas.
As of 19 May 2016, 46 countries are experiencing an ongoing outbreak of Zika Virus. This number is a significant increase from the 34 initially reported in March 2016 when the IFRC revised Emergency Appeal was launched. The rapid geographical spread of Zika infections poses a global threat, with all areas where a competent vector exists at risk of infection. The geographical spread of cases now includes 1 country in Africa (Cape Verde) and South East Asia (Maldives), 5 in the Western Pacific and 39 countries in the Americas (WHO Sitrep 19th May 2016). In addition, 10 countries have reported non vector borne Zika Virus transmission including the United States, New Zealand, France, Italy and Portugal.
WHO declared the current Zika outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on the 1st February 2016. Sine this time, an international response to Zika has been mounted but its impact limited so far by the size and scale of the outbreak, the difficult in surveillance and lab diagnostics and difficult in mobilizing funds across all partners. Compounding these challenges is the difficulties in explaining the risks and ever evolving science of a new diseases that has such severe consequences for only a few.
Engaging and working with communities remains the key to epidemic control and limiting the impact of Zika.
Nine National Societies in the Americas are currently active under the global appeal, with several more awaiting approval of action plans based on available funding. Several National Societies in the Pacific have started combating Zika as part of an integrated approach with their respective governments and the WHO including Tonga, Federated State of Micronesia and Samoa. In addition, Zika prevention activities have been included in DREFs and Appeals as part of a multi-hazard approach where appropriate.
Ecuador and Fiji are both responding to large scale natural disasters and have included Zika prevention and response with in these appeals. CV Timor Leste and the Sabah RC have included Zika in DREF requests related to droughts and water shortages.
The appeal remains the main implementation tool for the Zika response, and the need to continue to scale activities beyond the current level of implementation is required. However, Zika is expected to be a long and protracted outbreak and elements of integrated vector control are being further developed in long term Health and Wash projects as well as forming a key component of other emergency appeals in at risk areas. This Operations Update (n°2) focuses specifically on the global response, and complements the separate Operations Update (n° 1) that focuses specifically on the Americas Zika response.