The Zika virus persisted in some body fluids for unexpectedly long periods, researchers reported at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections.
Analysis of a Puerto Rican cohort of people newly infected with Zika suggested that the flavivirus lasts longer than others in its class, such as dengue, according to Gabriela Paz-Bailey, MD, PhD, of the CDC in Atlanta, and colleagues.
The medians and 95th percentiles for the time until the loss of detectable Zika virus RNA detection were 14 days (95% CI 11-17) and 54 days (95% CI 43-64), respectively.
The prolonged time might have implications for both diagnosis and prevention of Zika, Paz-Bailey told reporters at the annual Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI). The study was published simultaneously in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Small Number of Zika Cases in Haiti
From October 2015 to November 2016, Haiti has reported 3,036 suspected cases of Zika virus disease, and 29 cases of microcephaly, but researchers cautioned that the country may have difficulty responding to the Zika outbreak. Overall, a little under 10% (294) patients underwent testing for the virus.
Writing in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, they noted that suspected cases and testing are lower than expected. Of 19 living infants with microcephaly, all tested negative for Zika via RT-PCR. Three-quarters of mothers reported Zika symptoms during their pregnancy.
The authors credited Haiti's department of public health for its response to the virus, but noted that Haiti still has not implemented in-service national clinical training and may require additional financial resources to increase Zika virus testing.
NAID Reissues Zika Funding Opportunity Announcement
Due to "incredible response," the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Disease announced it is reissuing a funding opportunity announcement for the study of Zika virus. This FOA will aim to examine complications of Zika virus disease, specifically focusing on high-priority areas of research. These topics include studies of Zika-associated Guillain-Barré, encephalitis or encephalomyelitis both in an attempt to develop new treatments and to determine the disease course and related outcomes. Studies on the effects of Zika and the development of epilepsy, as well as the effects of Zika on hearing are also requested. The NAID noted that the last funding opportunity produced about "a dozen" funding awards.