Zika virus
infection 2015-16 Epidemic
September 6, 2016
Update
Paul Herscu ND,
MPH
Herscu Laboratory
Zika Virus Disease
And Targeted Vector Control ‘The Future is Already Here — Just Not Evenly
Distributed’
This article addresses only one aspect of prevention of Zika virus caused disease; it is the fifth in a series. For previous writings on the subject and to contextualize this writing, please refer to my blog.
I had previously written
on the vector control benefits of attempting ‘functional’ extinction of the Aedes
aegypti species that likely carries Yellow fever, Dengue fever, Chikungunya,
and Zika virus, illnesses that lead to morbidity or mortality in the many
thousands every year. The arguments were many, but the main point was that Zika
virus was absolutely going to impact the health of Americans via local
transmission and that many would suffer needlessly. I went on to urge that the
time was right for the planned ‘functional’ extinction of Aedes aegypti
but at this point that approach would no longer be sufficient. As expected, we
have since seen the first infant death
in the U.S., due to Zika virus and have the first U.S. birth of a child with
Zika virus caused microcephaly. More that 2,722 people in the U.S. have been
infected, with 35 from local transmission, according to the CDC Case Counts
in the U.S. Sadly, more will likely follow.
