Brazil deploys troops to warn of Zika virus risks

The spread of the virus has coincided with an apparent surge in cases of microcephaly, a disease among babies born with abnormally small heads, and related hearing and sight impairments, as well as possible learning disabilities.

It said there had been no scientific study that linked pyriproxyfen to microcephaly, which has been confirmed in 462 babies, with 41 cases linked to the mosquito-borne Zika virus.

Already-pregnant women have been advised not to travel to the countries affected. The Zika virus is transmitted through sex and by mosquitoes in the daytime. It can survive in semen for more than 60 days after infection. It does not cause serious complications in adults, but is suspected of leading to severe brain defects and microcephaly cases in newborn children.

Currently, 33 countries in the Americas have reported circulation of Zika virus.

Considering the wide distribution of this type of mosquito, all the countries in the African Region are at risk of Zika virus transmission.

The virus remains in the blood of someone who has been infected for about a week, but can be longer.

Brazil is seeing an unexpected rebound of the virus.

As of Saturday, Feb. 13, NPR is reporting that Brazilian military forces are knocking on doors trying to make people aware of the virus. It was first detected in May previous year in Brazil, where health authorities had also observed a spike in cases of microcephaly among newborns.

Colombia is believed to have up to 6,000 cases of the virus just in 2016, according to official statements.

Brazil’s federal government said there was no scientific evidence to link pyriproxyfen to microcephaly.

Similar to dengue fever, the Zika virus is transmitted to people primarily through mosquito bites, and common symptoms include fever frequently accompanied by a maculopapular rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis, as well as headaches, muscle pain or retro-orbital pain.

This week, Brazil and the United States are expected to sign an agreement to jointly develop a vaccine against the Zika virus.