Meeting of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety with World Health Organization on Zika virus outbreak, in the EP ini Brussels. Statements by Roberto BERTOLLINI, WHO representation to the EU, scientific head

Brussels

exchange of views

meeting

Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

Zika virus outbreak (T)

World Health Organisation

Exchange of views with World Health Organization on Zika virus outbreak: Statement Dr Roberto BERTOLLLINI, WHO representation in the EU

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberto BERTOLLINI, WHO representation to the EU, scientific head , "The situation is complex but not so serious for the Western European countries of Europe in general, this is a mild decease, the Zika infection is a mild infection, but if occurring during pregnancy, it seems, because it is not confirmed yet it is associated with the microcephaly in the new born, in part of the new born, because it is not clear how many will be developing this disease. Under this point of view for this reason it was declared as public emergency of international concern. Not for the Zika infection itself but for the consequences of the growing embryo, so at the moment we are investigating whether this association is confirmed, most sensitive periods, what can be done to prevent it, and so forth and this will last for a few weeks and months. At the moment we are doing this and we are trying to help the countries in the areas to control the infection through vector control by eliminating the mosquitos."

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberto BERTOLLINI, WHO representation to the EU, scientific head , We recommend that simply for women which are planning to have a pregnancy or who are pregnant already to postpone the trip and to ask for advice. For men, particular for men who will travel there and who have been in areas affected by Zika there should be careful in sexual activities, use the condom and other type of protection devices. So this is the most important thing. It seems also that the virus is in the semen for 2-10 weeks after the infections, so this is a prevention that has to be implemented. Also we recommend not to do blood transfusion, getting blood from people who have travelled and also organ transplant.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberto BERTOLLINI, WHO representation to the EU, scientific head , Zika in principal can arrive here because, the mechanism I don't know if you remember, but some years ago there was an epidemic of chikungunya in some areas in Italy, South of France and so forth. In these Southern European countries there is a type of mosquito which can carry the virus, but is not the same type of mosquito. So if somebody comes with the infection to Europe and then is bitten by the mosquito he can initiate the thing, so it is possible, but first of all in the winter season it is very unlikely, it will not happen and in any case we have all the instruments to control the disease and to stop the infection by vector control, what was done in the chikungunya case, after the alarm there had been only 200 cases and it was actually very well controlled at that time. So I think we have all the instruments to control it, it is very important surveillance, it is very important information to the public and at this point in time, if ladies were planning to become pregnant or are already pregnant, don't go to these countries.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberto BERTOLLINI, WHO representation to the EU, scientific head , We need probably still, you know the research is going on, but there will be no vaccine available before 12 -15 months.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberto BERTOLLINI, WHO representation to the EU, scientific head , The risk of Zika for people travelling from the affected the countries to Europe has certainly increased. However the type of mosquitos are not present during the winter time, there is low mosquito activity, some of them may end, particularly therefore the Zika transmission in Europe is very low.