Given the rapid dissemination of Zika virus in the Region of the Americas as well as the detection of severe outcomes potentially related to Zika virus infection, PAHO Director, Dr. Carissa Etienne activated PAHO/WHO’s Incident Management System (IMST) on 8 December 2015 to make the best possible use of the expertise of the PAHO Secretariat in expediting the support to the Member States. The IMST operates under the IHR, Epidemic Alert and Response unit within the Department of Communicable Diseases and Health Analysis.
In addition to the activation of the IMST, PAHO designed other initiatives as described below.
Activities carried out
PAHO designed initiatives as part of the Strategy for Enhancing National Capacity to Respond to the Zika virus epidemic in the Americas, with the purpose of:
- Detect the introduction of the virus promptly and monitor the evolving epidemic including the detection of rare and severe outcomes associated with the virus.
- Reduce the risk posed by high vector density thus minimizing opportunities for transmission.
- Provide tools and guidance for adequate response management, including appropriate handling of cases, preparing facilities and healthcare workers for surges in demand for specialized care, minimizing the risk for atypical/severe ZIKA infection-related consequences, and building on existing capacity in risk communication and mass gatherings.
View also:
Emergency Response Framework de la OMS (ERF)
The mobilization of resources included the following technical areas:
Surveillance
Health System Support
Risk Communication
Vector Control
Coordination
Research
View details:
Launch of the Worldwide Zika virus research database
On 14 April 2016, The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) launched a database that lists and categorizes all scientific studies on the Zika virus worldwide. PAHO systematically identified and collected basic information on all investigations related to Zika.
The search mechanism was created to explore unknown factors about microcephaly and other congenital malformations linked to infection by the Zika virus. Zika is associated with congenital malformations such as microcephaly, and neurological complications such as Guillain Barré syndrome. Experts analyzed and mapped the gaps in scientific knowledge about the virus, how it affects people, its implications for public health in the Americas, and the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the vector that transmits the disease.
Documents and other resources