The Zika babies - what do we know and what should be done?
The current Zika virus outbreak in the Americas is linked to an increase in microcephaly and other congenital abnormalities. There are more than 1600 confirmed cases of babies microcephaly/CNS disorders linked to Zika in Brazil alone, with a further 3000 under investigation. The seminar will describe what we know about the Zika virus and its relationship with congenital abnormalities, what early interventions may be helpful for the babies, and consideration of interventions to address psychosocial needs of the families. The seminar will be followed by a drinks reception. This event is jointly hosted by the International Centre for Evidence in Disability and MARCH, with funding from the Clinical Research Department.
Admission Details: Free entry on a first come, first served basis. Arrive early to avoid disappointment.
This seminar will be followed by a drinks reception
Speakers:
Professor Jimmy Whitworth is coordinating LSHTM's response and staff involved in studies on Zika and associated conditions, research collaborations with a number of universities in Brazil, and advising governments and international agencies. He will describe the state of knowledge about Zika and its relationship with congenital abnormalities.
Dr Cally Tann is a Clinical Senior Lecturer in Child Health Development at LSHTM and a Consultant Neonatologist at UCLH. She will discuss the opportunities for development of early intervention strategies for infants affected by neurodisability, such as babies affected by Zika.
Dr Sarah Polack is a Senior Lecturer at the International Centre for Evidence in Disability. She will discuss how parent training interventions can be used to improve the skills of parents in caring for babies affected by Zika, and offer psychosocial support to them.
For more information about the International Centre for Evidence in Disability (ICED), including the full schedule of seminars in the series, please see our website.
If you have any access needs that we can assist with, please contact us on email
The session will be livestreamed and available to view shortly before the start of the seminar.
