In 3 or 4 years, a new Zika epidemic could affect Brazil

The Zika virus is still known to cause symptoms that are often mild in adults (fever, headache, rash, fatigue, muscle and joint pain), often lasting only a week, but especially to induce microcephaly in the fetus. In this case, the infection causes irreversible mental retardation. " There is currently no vaccine or specific treatment for Zika virosis.The only available treatments are symptomatic ," recalls the Institut Pasteur on its website. But in recent months, the media coverage of the epidemic caused by this virus is eroding. However for Gustavo Correa Matta, specialist of the prestigious Foundation Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), it would be dangerous to lower the guard.

Many questions remain unanswered

In an interview with Agence France Presse (AFP) , this head of the network "Zika social sciences" ensures that " in symbolic terms, the Zika epidemic is not over " especially since all questions about it have not yet found answers . Certainly, the mosquito Aedes aegypti is the main vector but the disease is also badually transmitted. Indeed, the pathogen can persist in semen for up to 6 months and be badually transmitted another 41 days after infection. But in this case, the exact amount of virus contained in the body fluid and transmitted to the partner is still ignored. " There are also unanswered questions about placental transmission Why microcephaly was more severe in the northeastern region than in other parts of Brazil? ", asks the specialist.

Budget cuts that will not cope properly with a new epidemic

The still incomplete understanding of the disease raises fears of a new outbreak. " Many epidemiological studies show that in three or four years, a new epidemic could affect Brazil, perhaps in less time ," admits Gustavo Correa Matta. How many people could be affected this time? Difficult to answer this question without knowing if the virus is able to reinfect a person who has already been. This is a potentially delicate situation that promises to be over and over again as budget cuts would complicate the management of a new epidemic. The researcher badures that the country would not be ready to face it: " We are affected by cuts in the budget allocated to scientific research and public health policies, to which are added the problems of water treatment, prevention and training of health personnel for the early identification of the disease ". For the moment, no reliable test is available to diagnose it and developing a vaccine is not feasible. This lack of resources also affects families affected by the 2015 epidemic: 2/3 of children with microcephaly do not have access to specialized care, the researcher laments.

With AFP