Infectious Diseases and HIV Conference

Ebola and Zika viral infections are two of the most representative global health emergencies in recent times, causing severe outbreaks and public health emergencies.

This session would involve issues on epidemiology, modes of transmission, and clinical manifestations of these viral infections as well as management strategies and the present researches and future preparedness endeavors.

Ebola Virus Ebola virus is highly lethal and causes Ebola Virus Disease, which represents severe hemorrhagic fever. Horizontal transmission of the virus through the bodily fluids of the infected and contaminated objects. As such, the West African epidemic from 2014 to 2016 exposed the weakness in viral transmission control and the urgency in response.

Progress in diagnostics for this session involves molecular testing, rapid antigen detection, as well as the treatment approaches, such as monoclonal antibodies and supportive care.

On the brighter side, promising vaccines in an end such as rVSV-ZEBOV, will have a future preventing possible outbreaks. Their role in their managerial process during outbreaks will be discussed.

Zika virus is mainly spread through bites of Aides mosquitoes. Its cases experienced international attention during the 2015-2016 outbreak in the Americas.

Those infected during pregnancy often lead to severe birth defects, including microcephaly, and neurological disorders like Guillain-Barre syndrome. The interesting modes of transmission of Zika virus such as sexual transmission and vertical transmission from mother to fetus, strategies for control of mosquito population, raising awareness in the community on this disease, rapid development of diagnostic tools for early detection, and research and development of vaccines.

The participants will leave here with a comprehensive understanding of Ebola versus Zika similarities and differences in outbreak management, including lessons learned from past epidemics that will help better prepare for and respond to future viral threats.