The World Health Organisation has declared an international public health warning in response to the ongoing Zika virus outbreak in Latin America and the Caribbean. The WHO warning focuses on increased coordination on detecting and eliminating the disease and increased funding and research, but does not impose any travel or trade restriction.

Director-general of WHO, Dr Margaret Chan convened an emergency committee to gather advice on the severity of the health threat associated with the continuing spread of Zika virus disease throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

In assessing the level of threat, 18 experts and advisers looked in particular at the strong association, in time and place, between infection with the Zika virus and a rise in detected cases of congenital malformations and neurological complications.

They agreed that a causal relationship between Zika infection during pregnancy and microcephaly is “strongly suspected, though not yet scientifically proven”. Dr Chan said in a statement that all agreed on the urgent need to coordinate international efforts to investigate and understand this relationship better, and that experts would consider patterns of recent spread and the broad geographical distribution of mosquito species that can transmit the virus.

The lack of vaccines and rapid and reliable diagnostic tests, and the absence of population immunity in newly affected countries were cited as further causes for concern.

After a review of the evidence, the Committee advised that the recent cluster of microcephaly cases and other neurological disorders reported in Brazil, following a similar cluster in French Polynesia in 2014, constitutes an “extraordinary event” and a public health threat to other parts of the world.

They recommended a coordinated international response to minimise the threat in affected countries and reduce the risk of further international spread.

Commenting on the business travel risks of the virus. Dr Robert Quigley, senior vice-president of Medical Assistance at International SOS Americas,says most HR departments are recommending that anyone (male or female) wishing to defer travel to Zika affected areas may do so without justification or questions asked.

A recent poll conducted by the company (answered by 256 respondents) indicated that just under half of companies have communicated with employees on the prevention of Zika while almost 40% have done nothing at all and just over 10% have put travel restrictions in place.

“As the disease becomes more ubiquitous we are already seeing companies sharing with their mobile workforce the dynamic recommendations of the CDC and adopting those recommendations as policies,” Dr Quigley explains. "Although these plans predominately impact pregnant or potentially pregnant business travellers companies are realising that since the disease is only manifested in on 20% of those infected precautions should be taken by male business travellers upon return home with regards to sexual activity.”

International SOS issues the following five best practices for global organisations reviewing their pandemic response plans:

*Anywhere, Anytime – A new virus can spread quickly. It’s important for an organisation’s pandemic plan to encompass all geographies, not just those where outbreaks have occurred

*Fast-moving – Outbreaks can evolve rapidly. Develop a pandemic plan that is responsive and adaptive, so you can quickly and consistently communicate with staff

*Severity informs response – Assessing the severity of an outbreak can be a challenge. Media reports and community sentiment can have a significant impact on perception of risk. Develop processes and guidelines to assess severity in your communities, and communicate that information to your employees

*Responding to the unknown – There can be confusion and a lack of definitive information about the nature of a new illness. The challenge for health authorities is to communicate the unknowns in a balanced, appropriate and tailored manner, focusing broadly on practical, actionable steps that everyone should take and, where necessary, enacting more severe measures to protect specific, affected populations. An organisation’s pandemic plan should further tailor the information based on employees’ needs as individuals or small groups, rather than as an entire population

*Variable capabilities – Some countries are better prepared to respond to an infectious disease outbreak. Organisations are encouraged to examine the responses to recent outbreaks in the countries where they operate and develop plans that incorporate the global variations


Email the editor

Follow us on Twitter

Share Story: