Experts only beginning to grasp the damage from Zika virus

Associated Press ^ | Jun 20, 3:49 PM EDT | MICHAEL ASTOR

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- Even though the explosive spread of the Zika virus has been met with a new level of international response, thanks to lessons learned from the Ebola crisis, experts warn they are only beginning to grasp the damage the mosquito-borne virus can do.

Doctors speaking at a U.N. meeting on Global Health Crises said Monday that the Zika virus has already affected 60 countries on four continents, and a major outbreak on the Atlantic Ocean island nation of Cape Verde suggests the disease is now poised to enter continental Africa. Zika has already become epidemic in Latin America and the Caribbean.

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

Although Zika was first identified in Uganda in 1947, researchers in 2012 discovered a second distinct Asian lineage of the virus which is the one that has been linked to neurological problems in Brazil and is the same strain that has been identified in Cape Verde, according to the World Health Organization.

"It is my analysis that we're at the beginning of a really challenging new outbreak with probably substantial impacts that are not fully understood by the world as a whole, even by those who are experts in bio-medical research," said Dr. David Nabarro, a special adviser to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on health issues.

Zika virus is spread mainly through the bite of a tropical mosquito, Aedes aegypti, and was first thought to cause only mild symptoms like a fever and rash, but it has recently been linked to severe birth defects including babies born with abnormally small heads and a rare neurological syndrome that can cause death or temporary paralysis.

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

Infectious Disease Ping

” Experts only beginning to grasp the damage from Zika virus “

[lacrew]

Do the Olympics have their goofy mascot picked out yet. Maybe it can be named Zika.

[fwdude]

I say that if the virus can do that to a developing baby, it is probably not wholly benign to adults, either.

[sagar]

Spray whole rainforests worldwide with pesticides. But, wait, some endangered flies might have hairloss. Oh noes.

[allendale]

The wild spread and devastation of this virus that is transmitted by mosquitoes is the result of the pseudoscience that resulted in the banning of DDT.

[ColdOne]

good one!

[grania]

I'd say that if the virus can do that to a developing baby, it is probably not wholly benign to adults, either

The damage it does to a baby in the womb is a short term effect of the virus. I can't imagine that they have a clue as to the long-term impacts of this virus. Another unknown....does this virus spread to animals that are bitten by infected mosquitoes?

This is beginning to shape up like something right out of Science Fiction.

[AdmSmith]

This is an interesting idea that should be discussed:

Kill All the Mosquitoes?!
New gene-editing technology gives scientists the ability to wipe out the carriers of malaria and the Zika virus. But should they use it?

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/kill-all-mosquitos-180959069/?no-ist

[WENDLE]

Our government is to blame for every tragedy here. They knew foreign people were coming in with it and did nothing!

[Diogenesis]

Like EV-D68 and incurable tuberculosis, the
GOP Congress and White Mosque want it in EVERY school
by secret Quartering.

Americans have not yet grasped the damage
to all future generations by
the negligent, self-serving GOP and the White Mosque.

[Talisker]

The wild spread and devastation of this virus that is transmitted by mosquitoes is the result of the pseudoscience that resulted in the banning of DDT.

Good point. I was amazed to read how safe and effective DDT is and was. And it looks like we still need it.

[oscar_diggs]

Summer Games ... don’t mind the maggots!

[humblegunner]

Do the Olympics have their goofy mascot picked out yet.

I suppose a little pinhead kid is out of the question.

[garyb]

there is some speculation that modified mosquitoes may have CAUSED or exacerbated the spread of zika.

http://theantimedia.org/zika-outbreak-epicenter-in-same-area-where-gm-mosquitoes-were-released-in-2015/

[oscar_diggs]

Like EV-D68 and incurable tuberculosis, the
GOP Congress and White Mosque want it in EVERY school
by secret Quartering.
**************
I had that talk with my doctor last week about whooping cough... I said I don’t hang with too many Mexicans ,, I got an evil look and “that’s not how it spreads..” so I answered “Guatemalans?” ....

[PA Engineer]

Thanks for the ping.

[hal ogen]

So this means the great human murderer who caused the ban of DDT will be responsible for many, many more deaths. That degenerate LIB moonbat idiot was Rachel Carson.

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

Diogenesis : "Americans have not yet grasped the damage
to all future generations by
the negligent, self-serving GOP and the White Mosque..."

I agree.
That is why Obama said that he was going to 'transform America'
and should be named the "Plague President "
for disease, pestilence, uncontrolled debt,
and a "quisling complicit Congress" (both parties become the uni-party).

[Don Corleone]

If it gets into Africa the results could easily be akin to the Black Plague, given the birth rate and the lack of modern medical culture.