The Threat of the Zika virus

Carlee Lewis
Staff Writer

       The Zika outbreak has taken over the lower part of the United States. Zika has mainly raised concern for pregnant women, affecting the brain and memory, resulting in birth defects. Zika has many symptoms including fever, skin rash, throbbing behind the eyes, small welts on eyelids, exhaustion, and headaches. In July of 2016, the first reports of Zika entered the U.S. Since the first reported outbreak, spraying pesticides has begun in some Miami areas. One outbreak is almost over in another Miami area, and people are protesting pesticide use.
        Zika has been spreading quickly, but one outbreak in Miami is almost over. Nobody new in the area has been diagnosed with Zika in forty five days. NBC news states, “The 45 days represents three full incubation periods for the Zika virus. It takes people a while to become infected after they are bitten by a mosquito, then to develop symptoms. And it takes a while for a mosquito to bite someone, become infected, and for that mosquito to then bite someone else and infect them.” NBC also says, “Florida is home to the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that spread the virus and health experts believe one or more mosquitos bit someone who was actively infecting others.” Miami was losing tourism since the Zika outbreak, so getting rid of one Zika outbreak will help tremendously.

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    In hopes of more outbreaks being cured, Miami beaches have begun spraying pesticides. In reaction to the pesticides, people have begun protesting. Many people are worried about the effects the pesticides may have on pregnant women. Zika is known to cause severe birth defects. City council member Ricky Arriola states, “You might not like the medicine, but you may have had to take a little of it to get the Zika under control.” Both Arriola and EPA’s pesticide operator Susan Jennings are for the pesticide. Jennings says. “The dose makes the poison. It takes a lot less to kill a mosquito than it does to make any effect on a human.” Most residents are scared of the pesticides even though it may be their only hope in curing Zika.
            Zika outbreaks have been coming and going since the start of July 2016. Many people are concerned for the sake of pregnant women and children's health. Solutions such as pesticides have been discovered, and one outbreak is almost over. Zika may finally slow down or even come to an end.