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Soldiers against mosquitoes Brazil uses military in the fight against dangerous Zika mosquitoes
A dangerous pathogen is currently spreading in several countries in South and Central America: the Zika virus is suspected of causing neonatal skull malformations. The virus is transmitted by mosquitoes. In Brazil, the military will now help in the fight against mosquitoes.
Soldiers are to help with mosquito-fighting
The Brazilian government wants to use up to 220,000 troops in the fight against the spread of the mosquito-borne Zika virus. According to Agência Brasil news agency, Health Minister Marcelo Castro said on Monday evening that soldiers will go door-to-door in particularly troubled areas on 13 February to help fight the Aedes aegypti mosquito. "For 30 years these mosquitoes have been in the country and we have not been able to eliminate them," says Castro. Also dengue and yellow fever can be transmitted by this mosquito species.
Image: Alexander Raths - fotolia Pathogens are suspected of causing pediatric skull malformations
According to the dpa news agency, about 400,000 pregnant poorer women receiving social benefits under the "Bolsa Familia" program will also receive mosquito repellent. The virus, which had probably been introduced to Brazil by the World Cup, had spread in 21 countries in the Americas within a few months. It can lead to fever, headache, joint pain, conjunctivitis and skin rash, among other things. Above all, however, the pathogen is suspected to cause infantile malformations in pregnant women.
Virus could spread throughout America
The most affected Brazil has so far recorded 3,893 cases of so-called microcephaly. The children are born with an unusually small head, which can lead to intellectual disability. In six cases of microcephaly, expectant mothers had previously been infected with Zika. Although it is not clear that the virus is the trigger, but the US Department of Health (CDC) recently issued the warning that pregnant women should not travel to Latin America at the moment. The World Health Organization (WHO) is now warning against the spread of the Zika virus throughout the Americas. Only a few days ago, the Zika virus arrived in New York. Affected were people who had previously traveled to areas where the pathogen is widespread.
Preparations for the Olympic Games in Rio
The Brazilian government also wants to protect athletes and visitors to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro from the Zika virus by expanding the mosquito control program. According to the information, a catalog of measures was sent to 56,000 hotels, bars and restaurants across the country to better combat the species Aedes aegypti that transmits the virus. In addition, during the Games in Rio (5 to 21 August) preventive and diagnostic measures would be strengthened. More than 260,000 health officials are to devote more attention to combating mosquito species. A vaccine against Zika is not available yet.
Mosquito risk lower in the Brazilian winter
According to the Ministry of Health of the German Press Agency in Rio de Janeiro, spending in 2016 would increase by 580 million to 1.87 billion real (422 million euros). For example, more than 550 tonnes of anti-mosquito agents and pesticides alone will be used. It could be beneficial for the games to take place in the Brazilian winter, because at that time the mosquito risk could be lower. It is said that in Rio, Janeiro has no suspected cases of microcephaly caused by the Zika virus. (Ad)