Mosquitos and the Zika Virus

[Cleoriff]

Extremely worrying news when the World Health Organisation (W.H.O) has issued warnings that this virus is 'spreading explosively'.The Zika virus is transmitted by a certain breed of mosquito

Currently the Zika Virus is in 23 countries in the Americas... and the reason for alarm is fourfold.....

*1) The possible association of infection with birth malformations and neurological syndromes.

*2) The potential for further international spread given the wide geographical distribution of the mosquito vector.

*3) The lack of population immunity in newly affected areas.

*4) The absence of vaccines.....

Pregnant woman are being advised not to travel to the countries affected ....as this virus causes awful defects in the unborn child.

Another worry is the risk of the disease spreading to Europe. Mosquitos breeding in Italy.Spain etc etc.. can become carriers if prevailing weather conditions (El Nino) continue

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/28/zika-virus-spreading-explosively-says-world-health-orga...

http://www.cdc.gov/zika/

[Cleoriff]

---

@viridis wrote:
Luckily there isnt a major international influx of people heading to Brazil this year....
Oh wait...

---

Got it in one....I 'inferred' this was the reason it was getting major publicity now...I know this sounds cynical but facts speak for themselves really....

[viridis]

Just waiting for the news that backup cities have been put on standby

[MI5]

It said on the news that they were releasing thousands of mutant Mozzies that couldn't breed in the hope they would wipe out the population of disease carrying ones.

[ComaChameleon]

---

@Cleoriff wrote:

I agree with you Coma. Fact is, it may all be too little too late. Brazil has currently published figures of at least 4000 children with the brain malfunctions linked to the virus. Who knows how many more pregnant women are carrying it as we speak?

Hopefully action now will save babies in the future....but I think it will be the far distant future sadly...

Still at least it is receiving world wide publicity which is good....

---

Same problem with so much diseases. Just because it's stopped in the "first world", we're not interested in solving anymore.

Remember when everybody started panicing about Ebola (even it was all the time out there in the ....bush) - just because it started to affect the own life? (Same with bird-, swine-, whatever - flu)

Only when it's getting real we start to think about it.

[Cleoriff]

As expected......BBC news tonight reporting of calls for emergency measures from W.H.O.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-35443961

Also suggesting that you check with any official travel warnings before travelling to Brazil.

On my car radio tonight I heard a young air stewardess reporting her airline had stopped her (and other young female staff) from flying into the area.

[Cleoriff]

Today it has been reported that someone in Texas is now infected with the Zika virus. Not through a mosquito bite but sexual contact ....Worrying as this shows another route it can be transmitted. The person affected has never left Texas but their partner had returned from Venezuela http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-35478778

[jonsie]

They are recommending condoms but I am sure that alone is not going to stop this desease spreading. If this spreads to Thailand I guarantee it will affect the UK within weeks.

[viridis]

The Olympics will soon spread it globally.
Can't believe they are still not addressing this major event and it's implications

[Cleoriff]

---

@viridis wrote:
The Olympics will soon spread it globally.
Can't believe they are still not addressing this major event and it's implications

---

On the late news last night they said Brazil and the Olympics committee are saying it will go on as planned. Though I have heard many athletes are considering not attending...

[jonsie]

As yet the disease is untreatable and it's ok saying that it leaves the system within 2 weeks but I wouldn't be to sure of the verity of that statement tbh. No problem for those of us not planning a family but this has widespread implications for our children. I can see why athletes would be wary about going.