Brazil has employed more than 200,000 soldiers across the country as part of an operation aiming to knock on three million doors and distribute informational leaflets. In Brazil, over 4,300 suspected and confirmed cases of the birth defect have been investigated to determine whether they are linked to the mosquito-borne virus.
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Some governments have advised women to delay getting pregnant.
“We are confident that until the Olympics begin we will have considerable success in exterminating” the Aedes aegypti mosquito that transmits the virus. “Speaking about the treatment, there is no vaccine for Zika, although a race to develop one is underway”, said Gamkrelidze.
The World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency in response to the outbreak of the mosquito-borne Zika virus, which is linked to brain deformities in newborns.
Much remains unknown about Zika, including whether the virus actually causes microcephaly.
Taiwan also said travelers returning from Thailand should use condoms for at least a month to prevent transmission of the virus. The health agency said that women who are trying to get pregnant and their partners should talk to their doctors before travelling to areas with Zika.
“We have to protect the population, especially pregnant women, athletes and tourists who will come for the Olympic Games [in Rio de Janeiro later this year]”, Aldo Rebelo, Brazil’s defence minister has said. This risk is potentially increased by the ongoing Zika virus disease outbreaks in other countries in the world.
Zika can cause fevers, rashes, joint pain, eye redness and conjunctivitis, although it is thought only 20 per cent of people infected will display any symptoms.
An army soldier explain how to combat the Aedes aegypti mosquito that spreads the Zika virus, at the Central station, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016. 5,000 pregnant women now have the Zika virus. Brazil has initiated a campaign to fight the virus called “Zika Zero” which aims at curbing the spread of the virus.
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The outbreak of Zika has affected Brazil’s tourism industry and raised concerns among health officials preparing for the Olympic Games. “Wear that mosquito repellant, wear that long clothing, and if you can possibly not travel right now until you are more aware of what Zika is doing, that’s what I would advise”.
