Although Zika virus, a mosquito-borne flavivirus, has been around for decades, until recently it has been associated only with sporadic cases of mild febrile illness. In 2013, however, the virus was associated with a large outbreak of Guillain-Barre syndromé (GBS) in French Polynesia. Subsequently, since 2014, the Zika virus has caused explosive outbreaks of severe neurologic illness throughout Central and South America, the Caribbean, and, more recently, the continental United States. The virus has been associated with dramatically high rates of GBS as well as congenital abnormalities in infected fetuses. In addition, unusual modes of transmission, including sexual transmission, have been recognized. The nature of the epidemic, and the possible future ramifications of this emerging virus, have yet to be fully explored.
This talk will focus on the neurologic implications of the Zika virus, including epidemiology, recognized clinical features, and possible future directions for this latest emerging pathogen. Investigations conducted in Brazil, the most highly affected country, Colombia, and Puerto Rico will be specifically highlighted. The various neurologic syndromes associated with the virus, including GBS, microcephaly, encephalitis, and acute myelitis will be highlighted and described.
The possible future public health implications of this disease will be described in detail.
- Chair: Andrea S. Winkler
- Main speaker: James J. Sejvar
- Commentator: Frank Olav Pettersen
About the main speaker:
- Neuroepidemiologist, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology and Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Assistant Professor of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine
- Consultant Neuroepidemiologist, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore
Dr. Sejvar is a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology, and a member of the Infectious Disease Society of America and the American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. He serves on the editorial board of Lancet Neurology and Neurology, and serves as a manuscript reviewer for numerous international medical journals. His current research focus centers on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, and outcomes of infections of the nervous system. He has conducted numerous studies focusing on viral encephalitis, post-infectious nervous system disorders, prion diseases, and infectious etiologies of acute flaccid paralysis. He is currently involved in several international field investigations of unexplained neurologic illnesses; the establishment of surveillance for etiologies of viral encephalitis and infectious acute flaccid paralysis; and developing intervention strategies for prevention and control of neurologic infections. His research also focuses on neurologic adverse events following immunizations. He has authored numerous scientific articles and book chapters, and lectures widely on topics relating to infections of the nervous system.
About the commentator:
Dr. Frank Olav Pettersen is Head of Regional Centre for imported and tropical medicine, Dept. of Infectious diseases Oslo University, in addition to being a specialist in internal medicine, infectious diseases and medical microbiology, a practicing senior consultant at Dept. of Infectious Diseases, OUH, and an associate professor at University of Oslo.
Registration
The guest lecture is free and open for all.