As Zika continues to spread despite vigorous efforts to contain the virus, there is a general lack of faith among many people in Latin America about their governments’ ability tackle the crisis. For example, a survey found that in Venezuela, only 29 percent felt confident their government could handle the outbreak while 49 percent said they did not believe government officials could handle the crisis. In Argentina, where only two cases of Zika have been confirmed, only 43 percent of respondents had faith the government would manage the crisis. In Guatemala, where more than 100 cases have been reported, the equivalent figure was 24 percent. The negative public opinion points to the huge challenges the governments are facing in containing the virus as well as in creating awareness about this epidemic. The governments are doing their best, but Zika has proved to be too complicated and infectious to be tackled through the normal methods. Especially in Brazil, the country worst affected by the virus, scientists and health authorities admit they are struggling to get on top of an epidemic that is thought to have infected about 1.5 million people.
More countries are reporting cases of Zika as the virus begins to cross borders. China yesterday reported its first imported case as a man was diagnosed with the virus after he returned from Venezuela and reported fever, headache and dizziness. Barbados confirmed three more cases in pregnant women, bringing to seven the number of people on the Caribbean island with the virus. Kenya has threatened to pull its athletes out of Rio Olympics in August unless it got assurances they would not be exposed to the Zika virus outbreak in Brazil, casting gloom over the great event. New Zealand’s Olympics Committee issued a warning to its athletes and officials of the risks and the US Olympic Committee told sports federations that athletes and staff concerned for their health should consider not going to the Games. Most other countries have indicated they will not withdraw.
Precaution is the best strategy as scientists are still trying to get the full facts about the mosquito-borne virus that has been linked to birth defects among babies. There is very little published research on Zika and no single test for the virus in humans or mosquitoes. There is also a huge worry that most infected people will be unaware they have the virus as eighty percent of people are asymptomatic. Then there are unanswered questions. This gives rise to lots of questions which will need urgent answers.
The World Health Organisation has already declared an international health emergency. With the health machinery of the entire world in readiness to fight the virus, containing this epidemic will not take time.
As Zika continues to spread despite vigorous efforts to contain the virus, there is a general lack of faith among many people in Latin America about their governments’ ability tackle the crisis. For example, a survey found that in Venezuela, only 29 percent felt confident their government could handle the outbreak while 49 percent said they did not believe government officials could handle the crisis. In Argentina, where only two cases of Zika have been confirmed, only 43 percent of respondents had faith the government would manage the crisis. In Guatemala, where more than 100 cases have been reported, the equivalent figure was 24 percent. The negative public opinion points to the huge challenges the governments are facing in containing the virus as well as in creating awareness about this epidemic. The governments are doing their best, but Zika has proved to be too complicated and infectious to be tackled through the normal methods. Especially in Brazil, the country worst affected by the virus, scientists and health authorities admit they are struggling to get on top of an epidemic that is thought to have infected about 1.5 million people.
More countries are reporting cases of Zika as the virus begins to cross borders. China yesterday reported its first imported case as a man was diagnosed with the virus after he returned from Venezuela and reported fever, headache and dizziness. Barbados confirmed three more cases in pregnant women, bringing to seven the number of people on the Caribbean island with the virus. Kenya has threatened to pull its athletes out of Rio Olympics in August unless it got assurances they would not be exposed to the Zika virus outbreak in Brazil, casting gloom over the great event. New Zealand’s Olympics Committee issued a warning to its athletes and officials of the risks and the US Olympic Committee told sports federations that athletes and staff concerned for their health should consider not going to the Games. Most other countries have indicated they will not withdraw.
Precaution is the best strategy as scientists are still trying to get the full facts about the mosquito-borne virus that has been linked to birth defects among babies. There is very little published research on Zika and no single test for the virus in humans or mosquitoes. There is also a huge worry that most infected people will be unaware they have the virus as eighty percent of people are asymptomatic. Then there are unanswered questions. This gives rise to lots of questions which will need urgent answers.
The World Health Organisation has already declared an international health emergency. With the health machinery of the entire world in readiness to fight the virus, containing this epidemic will not take time.
