Rainfall can indicate that mosquito-borne epidemics will occur weeks later
FINDINGSA new study demonstrates that outbreaks of mosquito-borne viruses Zika and Chikungunya generally occur about three weeks after heavy rainfall.Researchers also found that Chikungunya will predominate over Zika when both circulate at the same time, because Chikungunya has a shorter incubation period — just two days, versus 10 days for Zika. The latter finding explains why a late-2015 Zika epidemic in Rio de Janeiro ended while the number of Chikungunya cases increased in February 2016.BACKGROUNDViruses transmitted by insects can lead to serious health repercussions. Zika is linked to birth defects, and up to 1 perc...
Source: UCLA Newsroom: Health Sciences - November 21, 2017 Category: Universities & Medical Training Source Type: news
Rainfall can indicate that mosquito-borne epidemics will occur weeks later
(University of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences) A new study demonstrates that outbreaks of mosquito-borne viruses Zika and Chikungunya generally occur about three weeks after heavy rainfall. Researchers also found that Chikungunya will predominate over Zika when both circulate at the same time. (Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases)
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - November 21, 2017 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news
Zika, Dengue and Chikungunya Prevention Community Module
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. 04/18/2017 This 56-page module is intended for volunteers teaching and coaching adults about the transmission, symptoms, treatment, and prevention methods to address Zika, dengue, and chikungunya. It is comprised of five topics that are recommended for teaching in sequential order for maximum effect. The materials also address stigma associated with these diseases, and help to set a supportive environment for preventing disease as a collective group through ongoing community action. (PDF) (Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health)
Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health - November 15, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: The U.S. National Library of Medicine Source Type: news
Zika, Dengue and Chikungunya Prevention Toolkit
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. 04/18/2017 This 55-page toolkit is intended to be used with the Zika, dengue, and chikungunya prevention training modules for communities and schools/youth. It features full-color imagery, interactive formats, and games material to teach all audiences according to the methodology suggested in the module guides. (PDF) (Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health)
Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health - November 15, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: The U.S. National Library of Medicine Source Type: news
Zika, Dengue and Chikungunya Prevention School/Youth Module
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. 04/18/2017 This 56-page module is intended for volunteers, educators, and peer educators teaching children from ages 7 to 16 in a school or youth club setting about the transmission, symptoms, treatment, and prevention methods to address Zika, dengue, and chikungunya. The youth module is comprised of five topics that should be taught in sequential order. The materials also address stigma associated with these diseases, and help to set a supportive environment for preventing disease as a collective group through ongoing school community action. (PDF) (Source:...
Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health - November 15, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: The U.S. National Library of Medicine Source Type: news
Vector Control with a Focus on Aedes Aegypti and Aedes Albopictus Mosquitoes: Literature Review and Analysis
European Union, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. 10/16/2017 This 63-page report describes a literature review of the currently recommended vector control measures in Europe against Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which are vectors for chikungunya, dengue, and Zika viruses. The main gaps identified were in relation to evaluation, sustainability, and community engagement. The report identifies key areas where there is a lack of information and where opportunities exist to further enhance vector control across Europe. (PDF) (Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health)
Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health - November 15, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: The U.S. National Library of Medicine Source Type: news
Dengue and Severe Dengue
World Health Organization. 04/2017 This fact sheet provides information about dengue, a mosquito-borne viral disease that has rapidly spread in all regions of the World Health Organization in recent years. Dengue virus is transmitted by female mosquitoes mainly of the species Aedes aegypti and, to a lesser extent, Ae. albopictus. This mosquito also transmits chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika infection. The fact sheet discusses the global burden of dengue, transmission, characteristics, treatment, immunization, prevention, and control. (Text) (Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health)
Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health - November 8, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: The U.S. National Library of Medicine Source Type: news
A glycerophospholipid-specific pocket in the RVFV class II fusion protein drives target membrane insertion
The Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is transmitted by infected mosquitoes, causing severe disease in humans and livestock across Africa. We determined the x-ray structure of the RVFV class II fusion protein Gc in its postfusion form and in complex with a glycerophospholipid (GPL) bound in a conserved cavity next to the fusion loop. Site-directed mutagenesis and molecular dynamics simulations further revealed a built-in motif allowing en bloc insertion of the fusion loop into membranes, making few nonpolar side-chain interactions with the aliphatic moiety and multiple polar interactions with lipid head groups upon membrane r...
Source: ScienceNOW - November 2, 2017 Category: Science Authors: Guardado-Calvo, P., Atkovska, K., Jeffers, S. A., Grau, N., Backovic, M., Perez-Vargas, J., de Boer, S. M., Tortorici, M. A., Pehau-Arnaudet, G., Lepault, J., England, P., Rottier, P. J., Bosch, B. J., Hub, J. S., Rey, F. A. Tags: Biochemistry reports Source Type: news
U.S. Olympians Came Home with Medals – and Arboviruses
(MedPage Today) -- Cases of dengue, chikungunya, and West Nile, but not Zika (Source: MedPage Today Primary Care)
Source: MedPage Today Primary Care - October 8, 2017 Category: Primary Care Source Type: news
US Olympians at the 2016 Rio Games were infected with West Nile virus, not Zika
(University of Utah Health) US Olympic and Paralympic athletes and staff who traveled to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the 2016 Summer Games did not become infected with Zika virus but did test positive for other tropical, mosquito-borne viral infections, including West Nile Virus, Dengue Fever and Chikungunya. Results from the University of Utah Health-led study will be reported on Oct. 7 at IDWeek, a national infectious disease conference being held in San Diego. (Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases)
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - October 7, 2017 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news
Chikungunya – Italy
As of 26 September, 183 cases have been notified to the Lazio Region of Italy, which includes the coastal areas of Anzio and Latina as well as the city of Rome. Of the notified cases, 109 are confirmed and 74 additional cases are being investigated (all with an epidemiological link to the Lazio Region). Three more confirmed cases have also been notified from other areas with a travel history to Anzio. (Source: WHO Disease Outbreaks)
Source: WHO Disease Outbreaks - September 29, 2017 Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: news Source Type: news
The feds just tapped this George Mason University spinout to identify the next virus outbreak
From the Ebola to chikungunya to the Zika virus, more outbreaks that used to be confined to tropical climates are making their way to U.S. soil.
Now a George Mason University spinout is being tapped to help find a better way to identify future threats.
Ceres Nanosciences and George Mason University will join Seattle-based biomedical engineering company Tasso Inc. to develop a universal surveillance platform for infectious disease outbreak s. The $11.7 million program, which is being led by the U.S.… (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines)
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines - September 28, 2017 Category: Pharmaceuticals Authors: Tina Reed Source Type: news
Estimated Range of Aedes Albopictus and Aedes Aegypti in the United States, 2017
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 09/20/2017 This updated resource (2017) provides two maps of the estimated range of Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in the United States in 2017. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are more likely to spread Zika, dengue, chikungunya, and other viruses than other types of mosquitoes such as Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. The Web page also provides information about these mosquitoes, outbreaks spread by mosquitoes, and how to be protected from Zika and other viruses spread by mosquitoes. (Text) (Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health)
Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health - September 22, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: The U.S. National Library of Medicine Source Type: news
Broad swath of US deemed environmentally suitable for mosquitoes that transmit disease
(Entomological Society of America) Three-quarters of counties in the contiguous United States present suitable environmental conditions for at least part of the year for either Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus mosquitoes to survive if introduced, according to researchers at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The two mosquito species can transmit viruses that cause Zika, dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever. (Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases)
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - September 21, 2017 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news
Chikungunya – Italy
As of 14 September, fourteen autochthonous confirmed cases of chikungunya have been diagnosed in Italy, six in Rome and eight in the coastal area of Anzio (Lazio Region). There are additional cases being investigated. (Source: WHO Disease Outbreaks)
Source: WHO Disease Outbreaks - September 15, 2017 Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: news Source Type: news
