Papua New Guinea's National Department of Health reported that six cases of Zika virus infection in Papua New Guinea had been confirmed. (Read more: all about Zika virus disease). These findings are obtained through retrospective testing of samples. The samples were taken from patients who are presenting with a febrile illness between July 2014 and March 2016. The Cases were assured by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The following are the results by year:
- there is no Zika virus positive results were identified among sixty-four samples tested in 2014,
- one sample collected during a malaria outbreak in Morobe in May 2015 (a total of 34 samples were tested),
- two samples collected during a dengue outbreak in Western province in December 2015 (a total of 21 samples were tested), and
- three samples are gathered during a dengue outbreak in Kiunga in February 2016 (a total of 60 samples were tested).
- None of the patients who are positive had traveled outside Papua New Guinea before their illness.
Response of Public Health
A press release of the occasion has been issued to inform the public about the situation. It will raise cognition and provide act for cleaning up of mosquito breeding sites and preventing mosquito bites. Other ways that have been used to increase public awareness include television, radio, newspaper articles, and poster about Zika virus prevention. The National Department of Health has also explained to health workers. It is done to express the clinical features of Zika virus and augment surveillance for Zika virus infection and microcephaly.
Risk Assessment of WHO
This notification is necessary because it serves evidence on the cycle infection of Zika virus in Papua New Guinea in recent years. Even though the results of the research recommend low levels of Zika virus infection, the possibility of the incident of new cases in Papua New Guinea cannot be ruled out.
The overall risk evaluation remains unchanged. The chance of a global spread of Zika virus to areas where the Aedes mosquitoes are located is significant given the wide geographical distribution of these mosquitoes in various regions of the world. World Health Organization (WHO) continues to observe the epidemiological situation and conduct the risk evaluation based on the latest significant information.
Advise of WHO
The adjacency of Aedes mosquito breeding sites to human habitation is an important risk factor for Zika virus transmission. Prevention and control rely on reducing the site of reproduction of Aedes mosquitoes through modification or removal of breeding sites and reducing contact between people and mosquitoes. This can be accomplished by reducing the number of natural and artificial water-filled habitats, reducing the adult Aedes mosquito populations around at-risk communities. It can be done by using barriers such as insect nets, closed windows, and long clothing, and using repellents. Since the Aedes are day-biting mosquitoes, it is suggested that those who sleep during the daytime, particularly young children or elderly, should sleep under bed nets, handled with or without insecticide to serve protection.
During the plague, spraying of insecticide may be carried out following the technical orientation provided by WHO. It is used to kill flying mosquitoes. Suitable insecticides may be utilized as larvicides to deal large water containers when this is indicated.
Basic prevention for protection from mosquito bites should be taken by people who are traveling to high-risk areas, particularly pregnant women. These include use of repellents, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, wearing light-colored, and ensuring rooms are fitted with nets to prevent mosquitoes incoming.
Although the risk of infection of Zika virus through sexual activity is considered to be limited, WHO recommends the following:
- All patients with Zika virus transmission and their sexual partners (especially pregnant women) should get information about the possibility risks of sexual transmission, contraceptive measures, and safer sexual practices. Women who had unprotected sex and did not eager to become pregnant due to concern with Zika virus infection should also have ready access to emergency contraceptive counseling and services.
- Sexual partners of pregnant women, living in or returning from areas where transmission of Zika virus is possible to occur, should abstinence from sexual activity or use safer sexual practices, especially during pregnancy.
- As most Zika virus infections are asymptomatic:
- Men and women living in or returning from areas where transmission of Zika virus is known to occur should consider abstaining from sexual activity (at least four weeks after return) or adopting safer sexual practices.
WHO also always suggests the use of safer sexual practices, including the correct and consistent using condoms to avoid HIV disease and other sexually transmitted infections. WHO does not recommend routine semen test to detect Zika virus. WHO does not suggest any travel restriction to Papua New Guinea based on the current information available.
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