Sunday 14 February 2016

Plenty More Where That Came From?


There is an interesting article on the Zika virus, pointing out that it was first described (hence the name) in the Zika Forest near Entebbe in Uganda (www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/feb/13/zika-uganda-world-most-dangerous-viruses-malaria). The interesting thing is that this relatively small area (densely-packed with animal species) is home to some 70 species of tree-living mosquitoes and, via a test tower, virologists have identified their carrying numerous pathological diseases (along with the ubiquitous malarial parasite). Modern travel of people, along with movements of materials in trade (especially via horticulturalists), makes it very likely that other agents will move continents. I remain unconvinced by the reported attempts to control Zika and its mosquito vector in Columbia and Brazil.

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