On Friday, the White House, under President Obama, called for a public medical emergency in the region of Puerto Rico, emphasising that the rapid spread of the deadly virus Zika remains out of reach for it to be curbed.
Ever since the disease was identified, parts of the continent remain under constant threats of the virus, especially threatening the health of expecting women and their foetuses. The Caribbean island that is been populated by around some 3.5 million people, has had a record of some 10,690 odd laboratory-tested cases of Zika, including a huge score of pregnant women topping the list.
Across the American continents, Puerto Rico has been anticipated to face the worst of the Zika outbreak, owing to it’s tropical position and climate as a result, and a dire need for better infrastructure for insect control.
Further studies reveal that the virus gives rise to ‘microcephaly’, a defect since birth, marked by exceptionally small head size and developmental issues in newborns. It also can be spread by sexual contact, and has hence prompted the public health authorities to advise that people who have been infected with the germ stay away from unprotected intimacy for the time being.
Source and picture(s): Various agencies.
Tags: Puerto Rico Zika Zika virus Zika virus spreading
