Zika virus reservoirs: Implications for transmission, future outbreaks, drug and vaccine development

Name	World Continuing Education Alliance
Activity Title	Zika virus reservoirs: Implications for transmission, future outbreaks, drug and vaccine development
Details	After the recent outbreak of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in Brazil and other countries, multiple studies have been published regarding various tissue reservoirs, including the eyes, nervous system, genitourinary tracts and placenta Zika virus (ZIKV) was recently declared as a ‘Global Health Emergency’ by the World Health Organization. Various tissue reservoirs of ZIKV in infected humans and animals models have been observed, the implications of which are not known. Compared to other Flaviviruses, sexual transmission and persistence in the genitourinary tract seem to be unique to ZIKV. ZIKV persistence and shedding in bodily secretions (e.g. saliva, semen) is a concern for potential disease spread and could pose challenges in diagnosis, regulatory guidelines and drug/vaccine development. Murine and non-human primate models could be useful to study the role of tissue reservoirs in the development of prophylactic or therapeutic strategies. There is a need for meta-analysis of the ZIKV infection and virus shedding data from infected patients and ZIKV animal models, and additional research is needed to fully comprehend the long term implications of tissue reservoirs on ZIKV disease pathogenesis and biology
Competence	Public Health
Start Date	<span class="not-set">(not set)</span>
End Date	<span class="not-set">(not set)</span>
Event Time	10:30 AM
Location	World Continuing Education Alliance eLearning System
Cost (UGX)	0
CPD Points	1