THE World
Health Organization says it requires an estimated US$56 million to
implement its global Strategic Response Framework and Joint Operations Plan to
guide the international response to the spread of mosquito-borne Zika virus infection and the
neonatal malformations and neurological conditions associated with it.
The funds sought would be used to fast-track vaccines, carry out diagnostics and research into how the virus spreads, as well as virus control.
Possible links with neurological complications and birth malformations have rapidly changed the risk profile for Zika from a mild threat to one of very serious proportions, WHO Director-General Margaret Chan admitted in a strategy paper.
The funds sought to include $25 million for the Agency and its regional office and the rest for aid partners such as UNICEF. The WHO expects the money to come from states and other donors and in the meantime it has tapped a new emergency contingency fund for $2 million for initial operations.
A breakdown shows that about US$25 million
would be required to fund the WHO/AMRO/PAHO response and $31 million to fund
the work of key partners of the strategy that focuses on mobilizing and
coordinating partners, experts and resources to help countries enhance
surveillance of the Zika virus and allied disorders.
Improvement
of vector control, effective communication of risks, guidance and protection
measures, provision of medical care to
those affected and fast-tracing research and development of vaccines,
diagnostics and therapeutics are part of the expected package.
WHO has
also activated an Incident Management System to oversee the global response and
leverage expertise from across the organization to address the Zika virus crisis
while tapping into a recently established emergency contingency fund to finance
its initial operations.
WHO’s
Regional Office for the Americas (AMRO/PAHO) has been working closely with
affected countries and partner specialists to help health ministries detect and
track the virus, contain its spread, advise on clinical management of Zika and
investigate the spikes in microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome in areas
where Zika outbreaks have occurred.
WHO said it is
issuing regular information and guidance on the congenital and neurological
conditions associated with Zika virus disease, as well as related health,
safety and travel issues.
Working with
partners, WHO is also mapping efforts to develop vaccines, therapies,
diagnostic tests and new vector control tactics and putting in place mechanisms
to expedite data sharing, product development and clinical trials.
On 1
February 2016, based on recommendations of the International Health Regulations
Emergency Committee, WHO declared the increasing cases of neonatal and
neurological disorders, amid the growing Zika outbreak in the Americas, a
Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
