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Experts warn against Zika virus epidemic around the Mediterranean
The dangerous Zika virus, which is suspected of causing pediatric skull malformations, could also spread around the Mediterranean during the summer. This has been pointed out by Swedish scientists. Especially pregnant women should protect themselves from mosquito bites.
Zika epidemic fears around the Mediterranean
For several months now, the dangerous Zika virus has continued to spread in several countries in Central and South America. Occasionally, the pathogen was brought by travelers in other parts of the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) has now declared a global health emergency for the virus. In this country, some cases have been known. For example, twelve cases were reported in May alone. It could be worse. According to a news agency dts, Swedish researchers warn of a Zika epidemic around the Mediterranean in summer.
Swedish researchers have warned of a possible Zika epidemic around the Mediterranean. Vacationers could bring the dangerous pathogen in the summer of South America travel. (Image: nechaevkon / fotolia.com) Virus comes to Europe with travelers
According to Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit, head of the virus diagnostics department at the Tropical Institute in New Zealand, "Zika cases are coming to Spain, France or Italy this summer" Hamburg, opposite the news magazine "Focus". The expert further stated: "Especially if infected persons show no symptoms, several other people can catch the virus." Schmidt-Chanasit advises pregnant women to protect themselves from mosquito bites by staying in air-conditioned rooms or using mosquito nets. However, they should refrain from mosquito sprays because it is unclear whether their active ingredients damaged the embryo. There is no drug protection yet, but a first vaccine against the Zika virus should be tested this year.
About every fifth infected person is ill
According to health experts, the Zika virus is not fatal and causes around 20 percent of those infected to flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches and sometimes rash. The pathogen is also blamed for thousands of cases of microcephaly in babies. The children are born with an unusually small head, which can lead to brain malformations. So far, however, has not been clearly established that the virus is the trigger for it. In addition, French researchers recently reported in the journal "New England Journal of Medicine," that the pathogen can obviously be a threat to adults. Maybe the virus could not only harm the brains of children. (Ad)