Disease

Zika Virus

Florida, USA - The Florida Department of Health (DOH) reported Friday an additional 18 imported Zika virus cases with six in Miami-Dade, four in Orange, three in Osceola, two in Polk, one in Hillsborough, one in Manatee and one in Volusia counties.

Puerto Rico - The Puerto Rico Health Department is reporting an increase in confirmed Zika virus cases on the island as Secretary of the Department of Health, Ana Ríus Armendariz said today that 1,336 confirmed cases were reported in just the past week. This brings the total confirmed Zika cases in Puerto Rico to 4,437.

New York, USA - A New York City report of female-to-male sexual transmission of Zika virus infection is the first documented case of sexual transmission of Zika from a woman to her sex partner and adds to the growing body of knowledge about the sexual transmission of Zika.

Outbreak of leishmaniasis in Pakistan

The outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Safi tehsil of Mohmand Agency has raised alarm following 193 cases of the disease were registered with the health authorities.

Agency Surgeon DrRazaullah feared the disease might break into other parts of the agency if it was not contained in early stages.He said a vaccination campaign to control the epidemic has been launched on emergency basis in the most affected Safi tehsil. He added that health authorities in other parts of the tribal region have also been alarmed about a possible outbreak.

According to the official, leishmaniasis is a disease transmitted by the bite of female Phlebotomine sand fly. It could be invariably fatal if not treated promptly.It affects the internal body organs including the spleen and the liver, the official said.