April 21, 2016 general

These days the evening news continues to add to public concern about the mosquito-borne virus, Zika. It is indeed heartbreaking to see the photos of babies with unusually small heads that are a common birth defect for mothers infected with the virus. It is also upsetting news that the virus can be transmitted sexually and can cause adults to contract Guillain-Barré syndrome. (That is a potentially paralyzing neurological condition that has also been rarely associated with getting flu shots.) While the government argues over how to most effectively invest money to solve the problem and develop a vaccine, I want to put some of this in perspective and offer a few suggestions for avoiding/dealing with the problem. Key Zika info and strategies:

• According to the Centers for Disease Control, “No local mosquito-borne Zika virus disease cases have been reported in US states, but there have been travel-associated.” This link shows the current travel risks and precautions.
• The type of mosquitoes that can carry the virus is found in southern US states, but mosquito control is better here than in the tropics. Eliminating standing water around our property will help the most to keep mosquitoes from breeding in our neighborhoods. Saucers under plants are a common spot for standing water, but even a bottle top of water is enough to hatch eggs (I might have said “thimble full” but who sews any more?). Howard Garrett (the Dirt Doctor) lays out a whole mosquito-control program in this past newsletter. It makes sense to wear protective clothing and mosquito repellent outdoors in any part of the country because mosquitoes carry other diseases such as West Nile Virus.
• There have been no reports of Zika entering the medical blood supply. However, the FDA offers this advice to health professionals to avoid future problems.
• As with most any disease, among those infected, only a relatively small percentage experience the ill effects. The most likely explanation for that is: those who do not get ill have stronger immune systems. My article on building immunity lists a number of actions to take that will also improve the way we feel and prevent many chronic diseases even if we are not exposed to an infection.

So, in summary: Protect your home and yourself from mosquitoes. Stay healthy in general (what is the possible downside of that?). Women should ask your doctor if the risk is still high before having even protected sex with a man who may have traveled to tropical climates—especially if you are or could become pregnant.  Stay informed if you plan to travel. Don’t get unnecessarily stressed over the news because that isn’t good for your health!.