Such tiny creatures as mosquitoes can cause a lot of suffering man. Now, in a period of intense proliferation of these blood-sucking insects carried the virus Zika in Latin America and the Caribbean, it is particularly important to know how to protect themselves from infection.
For the first time the virus was detected in Uganda in 1947, it is mainly transmitted through the bite of the Aedes species of mosquitoes, according to the American Association for the fight against mosquitoes. On the first cases became known in the 50s of the last century. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that the current virus is rapidly spreading in the Western hemisphere, and to the end of 2016 the number of cases could reach 4 million people.
Every fifth Zika virus infected suffer from the following symptoms: fever, rash, joint pain, conjunctivitis, redness of the eyes, muscle and headache. The disease lasts from several days to a week.
Unfortunately, the vaccine or specific treatment for the virus Zika does not exist, so it is very important to prevent infection. Presumably, the Zika virus causes microcephaly in newborns whose mothers had contracted the virus during pregnancy. Center for Control and Prevention of diseases developed recommendations for pregnant women and women who want to have children and encourages them to postpone a trip to the country’s widespread disease.
If this is not possible, you should always consult with your doctor and to prevent mosquito bites. Fox News published a list of tips on how to do it:
1. The room where you are, should be equipped with air conditioning, and the windows must be protected by mosquito nets.
2. Avoid standing waters (breeding place of mosquitoes).
3. Remember that the greatest activity of mosquitoes, carriers of the virus occurs at daytime.
4. Use repellents. Pregnant women must first consult with your doctor which ones can be applied to the body.
5. Wear long-sleeved clothing and trousers.
6. Clothing should be light colored, because dark colors attract insects.
7.Avoid the use of scented products for skin care.
8.Sleep under a mosquito net.
The first cases of Zika virus infection reported in the popular tourist destination of European countries. For example, in Spain diagnosed pregnant woman, recently visited Colombia. In connection with the danger of an epidemic, Russian international airports introduced enhanced control of passengers arriving from endemic countries Zika fever. WHO has set up a special working group on the fight against this disease.
