Zoonotic & Vector-Borne Diseases

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported that the Zika virus can be transmitted from an infected man to a sex partner through anal sex.

After meticulously analyzing existing evidence, CDC scientists concluded that not only does the Zika virus cause microcephaly, but it is also the culprit behind other serious, fatal brain defects.

During a recent press conference, representatives from the CDC and NIAID agreed that the more researchers uncover about Zika, the scarier the virus appears to be.

Since January 2016, WHO has been notified of Lassa fever outbreaks in Nigeria, Benin, and Togo, with cases linked to the Togo outbreak in both Germany and Atlanta, Georgia in the United States.

Sixteen of the 18 provinces in Angola have reported suspected cases of Yellow Fever. As of late March, there have been a total of 1132 suspected and confirmed Yellow Fever cases in the country, with 168 deaths.

The Obama administration recently announced plans to shift nearly $600 million in funds designated to battle the Ebola epidemic toward the fight against Zika.

The results of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in patients with persistent symptoms of Lyme disease have shown that long-term antibiotic treatment does not lead to better outcomes than short-term antibiotic treatment does.

The findings of a new study reinforce the value of making insecticide-treated nets and indoor residual spraying of insecticides universally available—even in countries where the mosquitoes that transmit disease bite primarily outdoors.

A recent review article may provide infectious disease specialists with an enhanced understanding of how to predict the outcome of current and future Chikungunya outbreaks.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) held a Zika Action Plan Summit in Atlanta, Georgia today with the aims of preparing health officials of the possibility of local Zika transmission.

In the wake of a global Zika scare, and in light of the possibility of a Zika outbreak in the coming months, the FDA has allowed the use of an investigational test to screen blood donations for the Zika virus.

To help protect against the spread of Zika, it is imperative to take the necessary steps to minimize the population of the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

Chikungunya virus has been reported in the United States, and clinicians here must now be prepared for patients presenting with its symptoms.

Study shows that nitric oxide may inhibit infection-induced neuroinflammation.

At the moment, there have not yet been any locally transmitted Zika infections in the continental US, however, a recent study reports that this might change in the coming months.

Forty one individuals were voluntarily infected with the dengue virus in a new vaccine (TV003) clinical trial, which proved 100% successful.

An international team of researchers believes they may be on the verge of identifying biomarkers that can be used to predict disease course in dengue fever, thereby enabling clinicians to triage patients at higher risk for severe forms of the mosquito-borne infection at an earlier stage.

Dorothy McCoy, PharmD, provides advice for healthcare practitioners on counseling patients who are pregnant about the Zika virus.

Dorothy McCoy, PharmD, shares information about Zika virus and sexual transmission.

Jason C. Gallagher, PharmD shares the types of mosquito repellents healthcare practitioners should be recommending to their patients to help ward off mosquitos.

Dorothy McCoy, PharmD, explains what healthcare providers should do if a patient presents to their practice with a suspected Zika infection.

Jason C. Gallagher, PharmD describes how pharmacists can aid in controlling the spread of the Zika virus.

Jason C. Gallagher, PharmD shares advice that should be provided to patients who are pregnant that come into the practice with questions about the Zika virus.

New Aedes aegypti mosquitos are being genetically engineered to fight the current Zika-spreading population.

Fear of a Zika epidemic in Puerto Rico lead the HHS to initiate the transportation of "safe blood" to the island on March 5, 2016, two days before the CDC Director, Tom Frieden, MD, MPH, arrived there to evaluate the CDC's support for Zika response and inform residents about prevention methods.

Dorothy McCoy, PharmD, answers the most common questions healthcare providers have about the Zika virus.

Jason C. Gallagher, PharmD explains how to address questions from patients and healthcare providers about Zika.

A lack of sufficient knowledge of the Zika virus necessitates efforts to expand our understanding of the virus itself, while at the same time developing effective countermeasures.

Jason C. Gallagher, PharmD, shares some key things that community pharmacists need to know about the Zika virus and the current outbreak.

The Zika virus has been strongly believed to cause the neurological disorders microcephaly and Guillain-Barre syndrome, and new evidence supports the association.