The Murdoch press is at it again trying to stir up a bit of panic over the Zika virus being found in a Rockhampton visitor, which seems to i2P just a bit of a nonsense campaign to promote the way for a new mandatory vaccine to appear in the market place.
In my last detailed article I illustrated how the Zika virus had nothing to do with microcephaly, and that the mosquito breeding had everything to do with poor populations and accompanying poor sanitation and stagnant water. (read Dumbing us Down with the Zika Virus )
Microcephaly however, is linked to Brazilian health authorities spraying with the toxic substance called Pyriproxyfen, which is a growth inhibitor of mosquito larvae. It alters the development process from larva to pupa to adult, thus generating malformations in developing mosquitoes and killing or disabling them.
My article also discussed how an adjacent country to Brazil had solved the mosquito problem by introducing fish into any stored source of water which eradicated Dengue-carrying and Zika-carrying mosquitoes almost completely
Dramatically, the Murdoch press has come out with headlines like:
“Zika virus: Authorities spraying after Rockhampton visitor tests positive”
“Health authorities have begun spraying mosquitoes around a central Queensland hotel, after a visitor tested positive for the Zika virus was found to be staying there – along with the mosquitoes which carry it.
The man had recently returned from a trip to South America, where mosquitoes carrying the virus are prevalent.
But despite not acquiring the virus locally, the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which carries the virus, have been found around the Rockhampton hotel, prompting the health alert.
Queensland’s acting chief health officer Sonya Bennett stressed there had been no cases of locally acquired Zika virus in Queensland.”
Sounds vaguely familiar to an earlier report that the same mosquitoes were flying around Sydney airport (also noted in my original article).
A group of concerned Brazilian physicians practicing in the area where most microcephaly has originated say:
“Out of 404 confirmed microcephaly cases in Brazil, only 17 (4.2%) tested positive for the Zika virus.”
Queensland’s acting health minister, Dr Sonya Bennet, said further:
“I understand this may cause some concern to pregnant women around Depot Hill. Public health officers will be conducting door knocks of the area and speaking personally with pregnant women.
“Our message to them is to ensure there are no breeding areas for the mosquito around their homes, to use mosquito service spray inside their homes and to use mosquito repellent containing DEET on their bodies.”
“Anyone who is feeling unwell in the area is asked to contact their GP to discuss testing for Zika virus, while local pregnant women who are concerned are also being advised to see their doctor.”
Most insect repellents for consumer use contain the chemical N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, commonly known as DEET.
DEET is a highly effective insecticide used for pest control vancouver and DEET-based insect repellents are relatively safe when used carefully.
It’s important to be cautious because not a lot is known about the possible harmful effects on an unborn baby if DEET is used during pregnancy.
One study found evidence of a link between using insect repellents in the first trimester and a birth defect in boys called hypospadias.
Hypospadias is where there is a problem with either the opening of the penis or the foreskin. The authors of this study say that further research is needed.
This is because the study did not look at the type, content and frequency of use of insect repellents.
It is also one of the side effects attributed to pyriproxyfen.
The United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) and Health Protection Agency (HPA) say that products containing up to 50 per cent DEET are safe for you to use in pregnancy and when breastfeeding.
It is recommended that DEET not be applied under clothing because toxicity may be increased through skin absorption.
Mosquitoes are particularly attracted to pregnant women.
The general rule is to avoid using an insect repellent while in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Shield your skin by wearing long, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing (including socks) if you’re sitting outside on a summer evening or early in the morning.
If you’re in regions of Australia where mosquitoes spread diseases such as dengue and Murray Valley encephalitis, try to stay inside between dusk and dawn. You can also contact experts from pest control carlsbad as they can help you in eradicating disease causing pests and maintaining healthy garden free from pests.
If possible, turn on air conditioning or fans, and ensure there are screens on the windows.
While Zika virus can cause flu-like symptoms most infected persons do not experience any symptoms at all.
Even the Brazilian health authorities state that up to 80 percent of Zika-infected people do not know they are infected because there are no symptoms.
If symptoms are present it takes 2-7 days for them to subside.
The concerns for Zika are inflated because the infected areas in Brazil have never before had problems with Zika-induced deformities in babies.
Up to 75 percent of the population within the affected areas have beren exposed to Zika without any instance of microcephaly in infants.
The problem of microcephaly only emerged after crop-spraying and insecticide spraying contaminated drinking water sources within the region.
The real concern is that the sprays are not being reported and investigated by mainstream media and that there are concerns that a Monsanto partner, Sumitomo, is involved with dubious decisions made by the Brazilian health authorities, now trying to cover up the real circumstances.
Queensland health authorities need to expand their public health activities by ensuring local governments are funded to clear up potential mosquito breeding sites such as water trapped in items like motor vehicle tyres or open containers.
A major clean up effort would not only reduce visual and chemical pollution, but would also reduce the need for sprays that may have unwanted effects on babies.
“As a precaution, spraying is currently taking place near the hotel,” Dr Bennett said on Wednesday night.
“Tomorrow we plan to initiate a public health declaration which will enable us to spray the yards of homes and businesses outside o this area are at a reduced risk because the Aedes aegypti is not know to fly very far.
“I understand this may cause some concern to pregnant women around Depot Hill. Public health officers will be conducting door knocks of the area and speaking personally with pregnant women.
“Our message to them is to ensure there are no breeding areas for the mosquito around their homes, to use mosquito service spray inside their homes and to use mosquito repellent containing DEET on their bodies.”
Anyone who is feeling unwell in the area is asked to contact their GP to discuss testing for Zika virus, while local pregnant women who are concerned are also being advised to see their doctor.
Given that full information has not been available to the Queensland Department of Health, their response is not unreasonable, except that pregnant women close to areas being sprayed may have some fears.
But the best method of prevention is a local-area response eradicating any stagnant pools of water.
Seeding large storage areas of water with fish or tadpoles appears to be another successful strategy.
Spraying with pesticides not not bothering to get professional flea exterminator is definitely not a good strategy.