Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you to the panel. I appreciate your information.
Way back in February of this year, when I first heard about the Zika virus, it was almost like panic struck the media when the World Health Organization declared the Zika virus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. Of course, I compared it to Ebola, or something that's very concerning. However, you say that the risk to Canadians is low.
I look at the symptoms, which are things like skin rashes, fever, muscle and joint pain, and headaches. The symptoms are mild and they last for about two to seven days. Most people recover from the infection without complications. The hospitalization rates are low. I'm pleased to hear that, and the fact that it's not comparable to Ebola or hepatitis, or whatever.
You mentioned there are about three million Canadians who travel to these infected countries, and we have 20 confirmed cases now. Are any of these confirmed cases pregnant women? That's the big risk right there. These pregnant women have the issue of deformation of their child.
Is it contagious other than through mosquitoes and through blood? Can you sneeze and give it to somebody else?
I have a question for our Canadian Blood Services doctors. Because of the symptoms and the fact that people fully recover from this, do you feel it's excessive that you're deferring blood, organs, and tissues? People are dying on tables waiting for these organs and tissues, and you're going to turn away a potential organ from someone who may have travelled to that area.
Is there a way for you to test these organs and tissues first, before deferring them? Have you had any cases of deferral of organs and tissues?
There's a whole pile of questions I've asked you
Just on procedure, Mr. Chair, if I don't use up my seven minutes, can I pass them on to my colleagues?