Hey Awesomites!!!
You all know the
Olympics and Paralympics are on their way in August and September. Excited,
aren't you? Woohhooooo! :D
Its taking place in Rio
de Janeiro, Brazil this year. So if any of you or your known really plan to
travel to Brazil for the Olympics and the Paralympics... You have to know about
the current situation of Zika virus out there. Brazil, along with many surrounding
countries of America, are experiencing an Outbreak of Zika Virus.
Zika is a viral
infection caused due to bite of an infected mosquito of Aedes family.
-In May 2015, Brazil
reported the first outbreak of Zika in the America, spreading to neighboring
territories, islands, and Africa and SE Asia.
-On January 22nd, 2016, Centre for
Disease Control (CDC) activated its emergency operation centre to respond to
the outbreaks of Zika virus in pregnant women, causing life-threatening birth
defects like microcephaly and Guillain- Barre Syndrome (GBS) in the newborns.
-On February 1st, 2016 the WHO declared a Public Health Emergency of
International Concern due to clusters of areas with Zika outbreaks!
People from all over the
world are gonna travel to Brazil for the games and sports. If any person gets
infected with Zika, and travels back to their home country, the infection will
then spread there and it may lead on to more outbreaks. Possibility of the Zika
being a pandemic may also arise... That's really a big reason
to worry!
So what should be done
now?
Zika needs a vector
(Aedes mosquito) for its transmission.
- Travellers to Brazil should consult a Doctor 4-6 weeks before travel, and get properly vaccinated.
- CDC recommends
pregnant women not to go to Brazil.
How could we prevent mosquitoes from spreading infections??
- Diseases spread by mosquitoes, such as Dengue, Malaria, Zika, and Yellow fever are common throughout Brazil. So get prescription medications and properly vaccinated prior to your journey, from your doctor.
-Once there, use an Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) - registered insect repellant, with one of the
following ingredients: DEET, IR3535, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or
para- menthane diol.
> Always follow the instructions given on product label.
> EPA- registered insect repellants are proven safe for
pregnant and breast- feeding women.
> DO NOT use repellants on babies younger than 2 years
old.
> Do not apply directly on skin, as it may lead to irritation
and redness of skin.
> Treat clothing with permethrin. (Follow instructions first)
- Wear light- colored
and full- sleeved shirts and long pants.
- Stay in places with
fully air- conditioned rooms and windows and door screens to repel mosquitoes
outside.
- Keep yourself
hydrated, eat fruits and green veggies, and wear sunscreen.
- Avoid swimming. Schistosomiasis may
occur!
- The mosquitoes usually
do not live at elevations above 6,500 feet (2,000metres). So people who live at
such heights are at low risk of infections. :)
- Even if not feeling
sick, travellers returning back to their home country from Brazil and
surrounding areas, should take steps to prevent mosquito bites for 3
weeks. This could prevent Zika from passing to others and infecting other
people.
- If your lady is
pregnant, use condoms either correctly or just do not have sex during the
pregnancy.
- Couples with men
having Zika or symptoms of Zika should not have sex for at least six
months after symptoms begin.
- Couples with men who
have been to Zika- prone area but not yet developed symptoms, should not have
sex for at least eight weeks after their return in order to
minimize risk.
- If you feel sick at
any time during or after the trip, immediately consult your doctor, or any
health care professional in that area!
Always remember, Prevention is always better than cure. :)
That's all!
-Jaskunwar Singh
No comments:
Post a Comment
This is express yourself space. Where you type create something beautiful! <3
Wondering what do I write? Well...
Tell us something you know better. You are a brilliant mind. Yes, you are! ^__^
Ask about something you don't understand @_@?
Compliment... Say something nice! =D
Be a good critic and correct us if something went wrong :|
Go ahead. Comment all you like here! (:
PS: We have moderated comments to reduce spam. ALL comments that are not spam will be published on the website.