Distributed by e-mail on February 8, 2016
This update will provide information on the following:
- Last chance for input on addressing poverty in London
- Briefing on Zika virus
Poverty Panel Draft Recommendations Available for Comment
We had a great session in November to gather input into the early phases of the work of the Mayor’s Advisory Panel on Poverty. Thanks to all who attended.
The panel is currently in its final round of consultation. Draft recommendations have been developed, and your input would be welcome at the community consultation planned for the evening of February 23rd, through the online survey, or both. Details are at: www.London.ca/PovertyPanel
- Draft Recommendations Mayor's Advisory Panel on Poverty (pdf 124KB)
- Poverty Trends in London (pdf 537KB)
- Help Yourself Through Hard Times Basic needs services for London and Middlesex County (pdf 1.4MB)
Zika Virus
The Zika virus is a vector-borne disease like West Nile virus and Malaria, that is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito. There are a number of mosquito species that can carry Zika virus; these species are also known to carry Dengue and Chikungunya viruses. They are not native to Canada.
Zika virus may be transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person. This has been reported recently in the US; its significance as a mode of transmission remains unclear.
Only one out of four people infected with Zika virus develops symptoms, which are usually mild, appearing within three to 12 days of infection, and lasting between two and seven days. Typical symptoms include: fever, maculopapular rash, conjunctivitis, arthralgia and myalgia. In rare instances, Guillain-Barré syndrome has been reported. Vertical transmission during pregnancy or delivery and possible sexual and transfusion transmission have also been reported. The risk of microcephaly and other birth defects is currently being investigated.
There is no vaccine or known cure for Zika; treatment is supportive.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has issued a travel advisory to countries known to have confirmed cases of Zika virus. Pregnant women and those considering becoming pregnant are advised to consider postponing travel to these areas. If travel cannot be postponed, strict mosquito bite prevention measures should be followed. For the most up-to-date list of countries affected by Zika virus, visit the Pan American Health Organization’s website at http://www.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11585&Itemid=41688&lang=en
At this time, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and Centres for Disease Control do not recommend routine testing of asymptomatic people, including pregnant women, who have never experienced symptoms compatible with Zika virus infection. However, if fetal microcephaly or CNS calcifications are detected, and risk factors for Zika virus infection are present (including travel to areas where the virus is known to be circulating), testing should be conducted.
- Acute serology should be collected at the time of initial presentation. IgM antibodies develop at ≥4 days after symptom onset.
- Convalescent serology should be collected at least 2-3 weeks after the initial (acute) serology specimen is collected.
- Specimens for PCR testing should be collected as soon as possible after symptom onset, but no later than 10 days following onset of illness.
For more information on lab testing for Zika virus visit Public Health Ontario’s website at http://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/ServicesAndTools/LaboratoryServices/Pages/Zika-Virus.aspx