Managing Zika Virus across the Southern USA
Image Credit: Radiological Society of North America
As
the Zika virus appears in newly born USA infants, there is an increased
need to step up delivery statistics from South and Latin America. These
nations do not have adequate record keeping and many children are born
without hospital papers. Infant mortality and birth defects are
significantly under-reported. The photo shown above is not meant to scare people. The consequences must be clearly understood.
It
is key to increase awareness of this growing problem. Local community
public service ads could raise the overall information level of methods
to reduce the spread of Zika.
Mosquitoes
breed best in stagnant water. They commonly lay eggs in ponds, marshes,
swamps, fish ponds, backyard fountains, lakes, and other wetland
habitats. The Anopheles mosquito is quite hardy and can lay eggs in
polluted water and brackish water swamps. This is problematic for areas
like Louisiana and Florida.
The
initial step is shutting down the local breeding areas for mosquitoes.
Mosquito eggs laid without water can hatch weeks or months later when
water arrives. A push across towns and counties to keep the grass mowed
low and destroy mosquito local habitat is needed and public service
television ads to raise the general information level. Swimming pool
pumps must be run on a regular basis.
Swimming
pools under construction are looming problems for mosquito breeding.
These are often left empty and fill with several inches of rain water
prior to completion. The perfect host site to hatch mosquito eggs.
Reptile and birds can enter and become infected with Zika.
Old
boats should be placed upside down. Boat dealers must become involved
in protecting boats from water collection during hurricane season. Boat
rental shops should guard against water collection in unused boats. Boat
repair shops are also a concern. Boats left in 24 hour guarded storage
units outdoors should be covered or moved inside.
Empty
pots and containers around the yard must be moved to prevent water
stagnation. Remove old tires and recycle, rather than help expand the
mosquito population. Pet water dishes should be washed and emptied
often.
Install
solar motors in birdbaths to prevent motionless water and replace water
one or twice a week. Mow culverts and open drainage areas to ensure
that water flows and drains. Older trees with holes due to rotted limbs
or trauma should be filled in to prevent this as breeding spot.
Build french drains on property when drainage is a problem. Haul in
fill-dirt for low areas to prevent water collection. These solutions are
not all inexpensive.
The
Zika virus creates long-term health problems without current medical
answers. Symptoms similar to arthritis will appear and require
pharmaceutical intervention. Mortality increases for infants are
anticipated as the virus spreads.
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About the Author
Dr.
Rebecca Stone earned a MBA in Finance from the University of St. Thomas
in Houston, a Masters Degree from the Texas Health and Science
University in Austin, BBA from the University of Texas at Austin, and a
foreign Medical Degree in Alternative Medicine. Her medical writing
includes over three hundred articles in the field of medicine and
alternative medicine. She has written three medical books available
online. SpeedyReads publishes book written by Dr. Rebecca Stone,
including The New Drone Juggernaut ©2015, Quantum Brain Healing ©2011,
Quantum Orthomolecular Medicine ©2011, and Horny Goat Weed, the Magic
Chinese Herb ©2015. The most recent book will be available in Spanish in
the near future at Barnes & Noble.
Her
current status at AMAZON for the Kindle book Horny Goat Weed, the Magic
Chinese Herb ©2015 reached the top 5% of paid book sales for it’s
medical category. Dr. Rebecca Stone also wrote The Undersea Adventures
of Aladin and Alibaba.
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