Dangerous Zika virus Germany already reports twelve cases in May

Dark figure of the infections probably much higher
Since 1 May 2016, there is a legal obligation to report zika virus infections in Germany. As reported by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), twelve cases have been reported nationwide so far, with those affected probably having been infected while traveling. Thus, according to the information, the number of officially registered Zika diseases in this country has increased to 56.

Virus rages mainly in Central and South America
The dangerous Zika virus has so far been detected in about 60 countries, affecting mainly countries in Central and South America. In Germany, according to the RKI so far only a low risk of infection is assumed because the virus-transmitting yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) does not occur in this country. However, it has not yet been clarified whether insects living in Europe, such as the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) can spread the virus. Here, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), especially the island of Madeira and the Black Sea coast in Georgia and Russia are affected.

Since the introduction of mandatory reporting on 1 May, twelve new Zika infections have been registered in Germany. (Image: Flavio_Brazil / fotolia.com)

Exact number of infections so far unknown
Accordingly, the Zika cases that have become so far were, almost without exception, travelers returning from the affected areas, through which the virus was imported to Germany. The Hamburg Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine also confirmed several Zika cases among returnees in Germany between autumn 2015 and the end of April 2016 during the current zika virus epidemic in South and Central America. Exact numbers about the contagion cases were so far but not known.

High number of unrecognized illnesses
Since 1 May, however, Germany now has a statutory reporting obligation for the Zika virus. According to the RKI, the authorities have registered twelve cases of illness in the first four weeks after their introduction. "We assume that all sufferers have been infected while traveling," said a spokeswoman for the Robert Koch Institute opposite the "Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung". Thus, the number of officially recorded cases has risen to 56 since October - but this might reflect only a part of the reality: "There should be a not insignificant number of unreported because the disease is usually mild and sufferers do not even go to the doctor ", The spokeswoman of the institute continues.

Brazilian government extends mosquito control
In view of the raging epidemic in South and Central America, the Brazilian government wants to protect athletes and visitors to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro (5 to 21 August) from the virus by expanding the mosquito control program. More than 260,000 health officials will be increasingly involved in combating the mosquito Aedes aegypti, because a vaccine against Zika is not yet available.

Because of the increased risk of infection already talked several health experts and athletes such. baseball player Francisco Rodriguez of the Detroit Tigers voices her concerns. According to Spiegel online, Rodriguez told the ESPN.com portal that he had been infected with the virus in his native Venezuela and needed two months to recover completely. Accordingly, he could make athletes no reproach if they would do without the Olympics. "If you're planning to have kids, you need to think about them," says the baseball player.

Connection with skull malformations confirmed
Because Zika can cause skull malformations in the unborn - this is now considered proven. The so-called "microcephaly" is a developmental feature in which the skull is unusually small compared to the normal state. This can lead to brain malformations, as a result of which the affected children are often mentally handicapped and suffer from neurological disorders.

After returning from risk areas from safe sex pay attention
Zika is mainly spread by yellow fever mosquito bites. In addition, the virus may also be transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse, if the man has previously been infected abroad. Therefore, the WHO recommends tourists from Zika areas to refrain from unprotected sexual intercourse for at least eight weeks after their return home. Women or couples planning to become pregnant should also wait at least eight weeks after return. Men who develop symptoms of Zika virus infection should therefore practice "safe sex" for 6 months. The symptoms are similar to those of other mosquito-borne infections (e.g., dengue fever) but are usually much milder. Typical are rash, muscle, joint and headache, conjunctivitis and fever, with the symptoms usually occurring within three to 12 days after an infectious mosquito bite. (No)