Friday 19 February 2016

WHO: $56 million needed to start Zika fight>>>>


Image result for pics of zika causing mosquitoThe World Health Organization has said that it will need $56 million to kick-off the fight against Zika virus. WHO had declared the disease a global emergency health problem stressing on it rapid spread and the fear of birth defect associated with the virus. It has called on the member nations and other donors, including large nonprofits to render help. According to the Director-General of World Health Organization,  Dr. Margaret Chan, the possible links with neurological complications and birth malformations have rapidly changed the risk profile for Zika from a mild threat to one of very serious proportions. In a statement on Wenesday, WHO said that the strategy focuses on mobilizing and coordinating partners, experts and resources to help countries enhance surveillance of the Zika virus and disorders that could be linked to it, improve vector control, effectively communicate risks, guidance and protection measures, provide medical care to those affected and fast-track research and development of vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics. Having a veiw on that, global health law expert and the  director of the O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law, Georgetown University, Lawrence Gostin said with the action of the World Health to raise the fund needed for the global response but added that the estimate of $56 million is far less than what has been mapped out to combat the epidemic disease in the Americas. The Obama administration has asked Congress for $1.8 million to fight Zika. WHO believes the best way to fight Zika is to get rid of the mosquito - related specie that transmits the disease. Currently, according to report, companies are already working hard to come out with Zika vaccine with Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc. said to have made a progress as the experiment carried out by the company on mice looked positive. According to Dr. Joseph Kim, the president and CEO of Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc, the plans to initial the first phase of human testing will commence before the ending of 2016.
 


 

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