4. Zika and the 2016 Olympics

During  the early stages of the spread of the Zika virus in South America, the Brazillian government promised that the Olympics, which will be held in August 2016, will be Zika-free. The government has been making strides in stopping the spread of the virus, with their researchers working extra hard with international groups, plans to zap mosquitoes with radiation, and their deployment of 220,000 troops to raise awareness.

Let’s just hope that the government can maintain the momentum, because a woman living two kilometers from the Olympic Park just contracted the virus.

3. The Sterile Insect Technique

While a lot of research and tests are aimed at those infected by the virus, some are focused on the primary transmitter of the virus: the Aedes Aegypti mosquito.

The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is a proposal by the International Atomic Energy Agency to zap millions of male Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes with gamma rays, which will sterilise them–a sort of birth control method but with radiation. The agency said that it is willing to pay to ship an irradiator device to Brazil once the Brazilian government permits them to.

2. Researchers Chasing Vaccine

Research groups have been spreading from Dallas, Utah, Wisconsin and Swansea, among others. Even our neighbors in China, India and Singapore have started their research  in the hope of looking for the still-undiscovered vaccine.

1. Zika in the Philippines

Though it has yet to arrive in the Philippines, the Zika virus will indeed pose a serious problem in a country where the dengue virus is already rampant. In the past, dengue has driven the cities of Isabela, Cavite and Bulacan into a state of calamity. Since a tropical climate is the perfect breeding ground for Zika-infected mosquitoes, it would only take one infected person and one mosquito to spread the Zika virus. If that mosquito breeds, it will pose even a graver problem to the country.

The Department of Health has taken a precautionary step by advising all LGUs to conduct information drives on the transmission, signs and symptoms, complications, prevention and treatment of the virus to raise public awareness.

“We have sent the Zika virus advisory last week together with our dengue advisory to local government units. The regional office will initiate the printing of information materials for distribution to hospitals and rural health units,” said DOH regional information officer Ma. Elena Joy Villarosa.

Have you encountered the Zika virus or have any other tips for fellow Pinoys and travelers? Sound off in the comments below!

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