FDA gives top priority to protecting the blood supply from Zika virus

By Neil Murthy The Food and Drug Administration is turning to technology to protect the nation’s blood supply from Zika, as the virus continues to sweep across the Americas and Chicago reported the first case here last week. Currently there have been no confirmed cases of Zika virus transmission through blood transfusions in the United […]

Preventing Zika virus in Pregnant Women Top Priority for Illinois Health Department

By Stephanie Golden Protection of pregnant women against the Zika virus, which has been linked to a major birth defect, is the No. 1  priority for the Illinois Department of Public Health, a state spokeswoman said. “The Illinois Department of Public Health is supporting guidance from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention and is […]

World Health Organization calls emergency meeting on global threat of Zika virus

By Neil Murthy The World Health Organization will hold an emergency meeting Monday to consider whether Zika should be designated a global health crisis, in light of the spreading virus linked to birth defects. “We need to take action now,” said Dr. Margaret Chan, WHO’s Director-General, speaking at an informational session at the organization’s headquarters in Geneva Thursday. […]

Public health experts urge World Health Organization to ramp up Zika response

By Neil Murthy Public health experts are calling for the World Health Organization to step up efforts in the fight against the Zika virus outbreak. In the Journal for the American Medical Association viewpoint article published Wednesday, a doctor and public health lawyer urge WHO to utilize lessons learned from the Ebola epidemic and formulate […]