Worldwide athletes set to compete in an Olympic diving test event in Rio de Janeiro next week have asked about risks linked to the Zika virus, but have not canceled participation because of the outbreak, one of the organizers said on Friday. But pregnant women are the most vulnerable as they could pass on the virus to their unborn baby and that may cause microcephaly, a condition where the baby’s head is smaller than normal.
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Andressa Cristina dos Santos Cavagna, mother of a 3-year-old boy with a severe case of microcephaly, says abortion isn’t the answer. But critics have said the move would not helping reduce mosquito numbers or stop the spread of Zika.
Reuters reports that Colombia has been largely hit by the virus, causing 31,555 cases – among them 5,013 pregnant women.
Zika virus has been among the top most popular news in the present day. Although in most cases there are few symptoms, the fear is that pregnant women who become infected risk having babies with the birth defect.
Dr Pradip Awate, state surveillance officer said, “We have also strengthened our vector control activities and after discussions with the government and health officials, we are contemplating on lot of control measures for Zika virus”.
There are now no vaccines or treatment for the virus, though research institutes and pharmaceutical companies are working on several possibilities.
Women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant should postpone travel to countries where Zika virus has been found. “If you must travel to these countries, it’s very important to try to avoid mosquito bites by covering up and using insect repellents”, says Dr. Alter. “We will win the war against Zika”, Rousseff said as she launched the campaign, which also targets other mosquito-borne diseases. We must fight the mosquito as it carries the virus.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a global public health emergency over the possible connection between Zika and microcephaly, even though the link with Zika has not been confirmed. Zika is generally much milder, with only one out of five patients developing symptoms such as red eyes, a splotchy rash and fever.
The case was confirmed last week.
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For this year, they are forecasting 600 000 Zika cases overall and about 500 cases of microcephaly.
