Update on Zika Diagnostic Tests and WHO’s Related Activities

On 1 February 2016, WHO declared the clusters of microcephaly and neurological disorders and their potential link with Zika virus outbreaks in Brazil and French Polynesia to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHIC). Since then, there are 75 countries and territories reporting continued mosquito-borne transmission of Zika virus, with 69 countries experiencing a first outbreak of Zika virus since 2015.[1] The current scientific evidence has now shown that infection with Zika virus in the prenatal period is associated with microcephaly and other serious brain abnormalities. [2] As of December 2016, microcephaly cases have been identified in 28 countries and territories, and Guillain–Barré syndrome cases have been reported in 20 countries and territories where Zika virus is circulating. [1] There is currently a global scientific effort to gain a better understanding of the Zika virus, its vectors, modes of transmission, and the natural history of the disease. Key to this effort is having an accurate diagnosis of Zika virus infection; however, available tests are limited by several factors. On 18 November 2016, the Director-General of WHO declared the end of the PHEIC based on the recommendations made by the Emergency Committee on Zika and microcephaly convened under the International Health Regulations (IHR). WHO will continue its research and development (R&D) work on Zika under the WHO R&D Blueprint effort, which aims at reducing the time between declaration of a PHEIC and the availability of diagnostics tests, vaccines, antivirals, and other treatments that can save lives and avert a public health crisis. [3]