The World Health Organisation (WHO), has confirmed that a strain of the Zika virus has been found to be present in Cape Verde, an island country of volcanic archipelagos found off the western coast of Africa. Scientists at the Insititut Pasteur Dakar confirmed that it is the same strain of Zika found in the Americas, known as the Asian strain which has been found in Cape Verde. The Asian strain is believed to be more infectious to humans than the African strain, which is thought to be more infectious to primates.
“This is the first time that the Zika strain responsible for the outbreaks linked to neurological disorders and microcephaly has been detected in Africa,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “The findings are of concern because it is further proof that the outbreak is spreading beyond South America and is on the doorstep of Africa. This information will help African countries to re-evaluate their level of risk and adapt and increase their levels of preparedness.”
The Zika virus, first isolated in 1947 in Entebbe Uganda, is spread by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. It is a mosquito-borne disease, which can also be sexually transmitted. It causes microcephaly (abnormal smallness of the head), and brain anomalies in babies when an infected pregnant woman transmits the virus to her foetus. In adults, there have been rare cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (an auto immune disease affecting the peripheral nervous system).
According to the news release by WHO, as of 8 May 2016, 7557 suspected cases of Zika, and three cases of microcephaly have been reported in Cape Verde. No case of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) has been reported so far.
Dr Moeti recommends that African countries heighten awareness and communicate to pregnant women, the complications associated with the Asian type of Zika virus. She advised that steps should be taken in preventing mosquito bites, as well as sexual transmission; while advising countries to increase surveillance for Zika transmission, microcephaly, and Guillain-Barré syndrome.
For now, no travel restrictions have been recommended by WHO.
