Canadian Government Warns Those Headed to Rio Olympics of Zika Risks

The Canadian government urged its citizens planning to travel to the Olympic Games in Rio to exercise caution and be informed about the possibility of Zika.

In Brazil, some 1.5 million people have been infected with the Zika virus, and nearly 1,300 babies have been born with microcephaly - abnormally small heads and brains - since the outbreak of Zika began there in 2015.

The virus, which usually causes only mild, flu-like symptoms, can also trigger adult-onset neurological problems such as Guillain-Barre Syndrome, which can cause paralysis and death.

Zika Fever - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention
Zika virus is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes which causes mild fever with maculopapular rash. No treatment or vaccine is currently available.

‘The Canadian government urged its citizens planning to travel to the Olympic Games in Rio to exercise caution and be informed about the possibility of Zika infection.’

The Canadian government has urged its citizens planning to travel to the Olympic Games in Rio in August 2016 to exercise caution and be informed about the possibility of Zika infection.

The foreign ministry called on Canadians to purchase 'comprehensive travel health insurance coverage' that will last longer than their trips to Brazil for the August 5-21, 2016, Games.

Authorities advised travelers to consult appropriate websites to learn up about the mosquito-borne virus and how it is contracted.

Zika Virus Infection may be Extended in Pregnancy
Zika virus infection confers protection against future infection in monkeys, but lingers in the body of pregnant animals for prolonged periods of time.

Source-AFP

Brazil Had Just Notched Up a Tiny Victory Against Zika
Teams of naval personnel and sanitation staff went house to house, garden to garden, flower pot to flower pot to destroy the Zika-transmitting mosquito larvae.

New Diagnostics Needed to Identify Zika-Affected Babies
Some infants with microcephaly may not be diagnosed because they have normal-sized heads instead of small skulls.