ANA Update: WHO Launches Zika Data Sharing Protocol

The World Health Organization (WHO) is implementing a new Zika virus data sharing and reporting protocol in order to facilitate the exchange of crucial, evidence-based information during this unfolding health emergency. On submission to the WHO all research manuscripts relevant to the Zika epidemic will be posted online in the “Zika Open” collection within 24 hours while undergoing peer review. During the review process, the papers will be available free, allowing readers to scrutinize, distribute and reproduce the research in any medium. A link to the WHO/Zika Open can be found at the ANA/Zika Virus Preparedness & Response webpage: www.nursingworld.org/zika-virus-information.

In related news, on February 8, President Obama requested Congress to approve $1.8 billion in emergency funding to augment ongoing efforts to minimize the spread of the Zika virus. Specifically, the requested resources would be utilized to:

• Rapidly expand mosquito control programs,
• Accelerate vaccine research and diagnostic development,
• Enable testing and procurement of vaccines and diagnostics,
• Educate health care providers, pregnant women and their partners,
• Improve epidemiology and expand laboratory testing capacity,
• Improve health services and support for low-income pregnant women, and
• Enhance Zika-affected countries’ abilities to better combat mosquitoes and control transmission.