Goverment plays down Zika virus risk
Ministry of Health (MoH) has played down the risk of the deadly Zika virus spreading to Malawi because the mosquitoes carrying the virus, which has spread in South America, are different from the local ones.
However, the government says it is on the lookout for any outbreak which could reach this side of the Africa region.
“The risk that the virus could spread to Malawi and the region are still very slim but we are on the lookout just in case,” MoH spokesperson Adrian chikukumbe has said. “Those who are pregnant or intend to become pregnant shortly are strongly being advised not to go to the region infested with virus.”
But environmental health expert Michael Chimaliza has said the virus could spread to Malawi and the Africa region because the Aedes species of mosquitoes was also common here.
He said: “Although Africa is far from South America, chances of spreading are there as it may just take an infected person travelling from this side or someone travelling to the affected areas and get infected. Once these come to Africa infected, the bite of mosquitoes can lead to the start of the existence and spread of Zika virus.”
In South America, the virus is spreading in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Suriname and Venezuela while in Africa it has been detected in Cape Verde due to its proximity to the continent.
Brazil is expected to host the 2016 Olympic Games in July where Malawi will go with 14 sports disciplines.
Brazil has since started vector control through spraying to rid the country of the mosquitoes that carry the virus, according to Malawi’s MoH.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) website, Zika virus is spread to people through mosquito bites.
The most common symptoms of the virus are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes).
While the illness does not reach severe levels requiring hospitalisation, it is dangerous to pregnant women as Zika virus has been linked to microcephally in babies, incomplete brain development which results in babies having a small head.
To prevent possible infection by mosquitos, Chimaliza said the same principles of how one can prevent contracting mosquito-borne diseases like malaria can also apply to Zika which includes prevention of mosquito bites by using barriers such as insecticides, sleeping in a treated mosquito net and wearing clothing that covers exposed areas when travelling to a mosquito infested area.
