EDCD Sets Zika Meeting in Paris Next Week
Meeting participants will review the Zika virus infection situation in the Americas, review surveillance and control measures, and discuss how to strengthen regional cooperation regarding the virus and its possible spread into the European Union.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, known as ECDC, has organized a meeting to review the Zika virus infection situation in the Americas and to review surveillance and control measures. Participants will discuss how to strengthen regional cooperation regarding the virus and its possible spread into the European Union.
The meeting is set for April 20-21 April 2016 in Paris. Representatives of EU Member states and candidates and potential candidate countries will be participating in it.
CDC's director confirmed April 13 that the Zika virus is linked to severe birth defects including microcephaly. The Brazilian Ministry of Health reported an unusual increase in cases of microcephaly after a Zika virus outbreak last October, and French Polynesia reported an increase in cases of central nervous system malformations during 2014–2015 following Zika virus infection.
WHO on Feb. 1, 2016, declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern regarding clusters of microcephaly cases and neurological disorders in some areas affected by Zika virus.