Emag.co.uk Entertainment News Leader
Zika virus has links with neurological disorder microcephaly and is being spread by mosquitoes similar to dengue and chikungunya in Texas, Florida and Hawaii causing severe pain, bleeding, shock and death.
In past few years chikungunya has been common in Florida, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. It gives severe joint pain.
The West Nile is another mosquito-borne virus and it has spread across United States. It results with more severe disease including neurological and chronic kidney problems.
Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, Dr. Peter Jay Hotez, said there is no good antiviral drug for any of such mosquito-born diseases and so prevention is important.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an advisory for the prevention from Zika virus. It has suggested pregnant women to avoid traveling now to Mexico, Puerto Rico and several other countries.
Health experts say all such viruses can be avoided if measures are taken to prevent mosquito bites by wearing insect repellant.
When the weather warms up people should make sure not to have standing water outside their house such as trays of potted plants, garbage can lid or birdbath trays.
It is suggested to dump the standing water once a week and also to ensure the water does not contain mosquito larvae. Spraying pesticides outside the house is also added.
Before traveling it is important to check the travel alerts of the destination. In foreign lands it is suggested to stay in hotels and houses that are equipped with air conditioning.
