JR: This post originally appeared HERE over at DoomandBloom.net.
One of the scenarios we write about is the “Pandemic”. Although we have had success curing many illnesses with antibiotics, we are still struggling with outbreaks of viral diseases. In 2014, thousands died in West Africa during the Ebola epidemic. In 2015, Chikungunya virus crossed the Atlantic into the Western Hemisphere and infected a million people. This year, Zika virus is the latest pandemic, and the first to generate travel warnings specifically for women that are pregnant or of childbearing age.
A little-known virus of equatorial Africa and Asia, the Zika virus has “jumped the pond” and is wreaking havoc in South America, especially among pregnant women and their newborns. Like its predecessors, it’s a mosquito-borne virus. Citizens of the Americas have little immunity against it.
Most people experience mild flu-like symptoms, but an infected during a pregnancy can yield a newborn with brain damage. In late 2015, it was mainly a Brazilian problem. A congenital abnormality (once called a “birth defect”) called microcephaly started appearing among newborns.Microcephaly presents as an abnormally small head and is associated with mental handicaps; if severe, it may be incompatible with life.
Brazil is a large country with a youthful population; in an average year, it sees about 150 cases of microcephaly. Since the arrival of Zika virus in May 2015, there have been 3,500. Now, cases of the virus are being reported in the United States from Virginia to Arkansas to Hawaii (mostly in returning travelers from South America). In total, 25 countries so far are reporting evidence of the virus.
EPIDEMICS VS. PANDEMICS
Infectious disease can be endemic, epidemic, or pandemic:
–An Epidemic infectious disease is a community-wide outbreak of an illness that is not always present in an area. Influenza, EnterovirusD68, and Ebola are examples.
–An Endemic infectious disease is one that is normally found and expected in a certain area. Malaria is endemic in many tropical countries.
–A Pandemic occurs when an infectious disease crosses various borders and runs rampant throughout a large region, or even the whole world. The Spanish Flu of 1918 is the classic example. Zika has had outbreaks in Africa, Asia, and now, South America. Cases have been reported in Denmark and Sweden as well.
WHAT IS ZIKA VIRUS?
Zika virus is a member of the Flavivirus family, which contains a number of well-known diseases such as yellow fever, chikungunya, and West Nile virus. Like the others, Zika virus is carried by Aedes mosquitoes, which are the main agent of transmission (human to human transmission can also occur); unlike the others, the virus affects the unborn.
Symptoms of the virus include headache, rash, fever, and conjunctivitis(pink eye). The grand majority of infected people have no signs of the infection whatsoever. This is ominous for a pregnancy, as the mother doesn’t even know she was at risk.
TREATMENT AND PREVENTION OF ZIKA VIRUS
There is no vaccine or treatment available that is effective against Zika virus. Prevention, however, is simple: Don’t travel to the countries where widespread outbreaks are occurring. If you have to go, use sunscreen, long pants and sleeves, plus mosquito repellant or netting. Standing water near your location in affected areas should be drained.
Mosquito control efforts are underway in Brazil and other countries at risk. Besides the usual sprays with pesticides, you might be surprised to know that GMOs (genetically modified organisms) are playing a part.
A male “Franken-mosquito” called OX513A has a gene that kills his offspring. Female mosquitoes only mate once during their lives, so this might have a significant effect. Brazil claims more than a 90% decrease in the population after release. OX513A was also used in the Florida Keys in 2012 (over protests) to combat an outbreak of another Flavivirus, Dengue Fever.
Joe Alton, MD
A lot of different bugs carry diseases and it will be far worse during a grid down situation. This is just one more reason people should add bug protection to their preps, if they don’t have them. Lots of bug sprays, mosquito netting, head coverings, ETC. Having worked in the woods all over the world, I can truly say, the mosquitoes can drive you crazy if you are not properly equiped. Just going outside for a few minutes in Maine during blackfly season was enough to drive you mad. Here in Florida, the mosquitoes will almost carry you off and cock roaches are a constant concern. Not only have we added different pesticides and netting to our preps, but we have screen repair kits and extra screen, splines and tools to install it. Also consider adding a few tubes of silicone caulk to seal any small openings that may appear.
Methinks microcephaly has long existed amongst our politicians. Seriously, this new condition has dire consequences, likely dire enough to bring back widespread use of DDT. Hopefully cold winters will give a measure of protection here in much of the US.
PR
They said this morning it would take a couple years to develop and short to prevent the infection one bitten. Like the flu shot, a counter viral. I expect it to be hard on the south east US where the weather conditions and plentiful water make mosquito’s a state bird almost. Some people are more likely to exhibit of course.. and some people must taste better than other .. since I don’t know what they east when I am not around, but am certain what they do when I am. In my research to find a way around them, I found everyone is bitten, just not everyone’s histamine response its the same. i.e. large swellings and sever itching is not the way everyone reacts to a bite, just like bee stings or anything else. I hope DDT is not used but some thing better.. that is terrible on the reproductive capacity of many birds, and specifically raptors. Yes I know people are more important. Just hoping we can do better. it’s unlikely that it will be a Zombie apocalypse and we’ll figure it out.. always do.. But to be safe think I’ll practice head shots at the range for a while 🙂 .. I mean I would if I had any guns anymore.
Hopefully anyone going to the Summer Olympics keeps this in mind and don’t get pregnant prior to going or shortly after coming home. This could have dire consequences for your baby. People forget that prior to modern pesticides, a lot of diseases were spread by insects and will do so again during a significant SHTF event.
Any by the way Rourke and Dr. Alton, great article. We need more of this type of information shared. We all prepare for the most obvious things like having water, food and ammo, but like they always say, “It’s the little things that get you”. Keep up the good work.
JAS, having lived in NH and now in FL, I agree with your statements being prepared. most of the infected bites I have ever received were from black flies.
Living here in north Texas has been as experience. One the things I monitor closely is WHO/CDC issues as well as local news. I have found that do to the subtropical climate here that there are a great deal more of critter borne medical maladies to prepare for and be on constant alert for.
Badger359