Zika Virus Epidemic...

[Rockhopper]

In Brazil and Mexico. It causes birth defects in pregnant women.

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/01/15/health/zika-pandemic-travel-warnings-cdc/

Tim.

[Agartha]

Thank you, I have never heard of this virus! And another mosquito borne one.... and people don't understand why I don't like to live in hot places!

[Rockhopper]

Don't mind hot places Ags, just don't like the beasties that populate them. Especially the two-legged variety!

Tim.

[Agartha]

hahaha I agree!

[Stargate]

No where to run these days, hot or cold. Viruses are also running from us. LoL

[Kaere]

Did you know malaria used to be big in the UK, Agartha? Apparently Henry the VIII had a couple of episodes... yikes.

This Zika virus is really quite scary... they're saying (and I mean the WHO) that it'll be spread quickly across all the Americas except for Canada and Chile where the carrier mosquito does not thrive. There are even some countries recommending that women delay getting pregnant if at all possible. Wow!

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-35399403?ocid=socialflow_facebook&ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbcnews&ns_source=facebook

[Rockhopper]

Yep Ka Malaria was endemic in southern England until the early 1800's. The Skeeters that carried it died off in the Big Cold around then.

Heard on the radio that Zika has arrived in the north of Aussie too.

Tim.

[Agartha]

I didn't know about the UK being a malaria spot, no!! That's great info to know (to impress others, lol). I got Thalassemia trait because of the mutations my ancestors needed dealing with malaria, but that was obviously in Italy and not the UK.

The Zika virus is indeed worrying me too.... El Salvador has asked its women to not get pregnant for a couple of years until they know more about the virus. I think other countries in South America are going to advise the same.

I was discussing this with my sister yesterday and it looks a bit like the movie 'Children of men' in a way, not because women cannot get pregnant but because they shouldn't... not sure if it makes sense what I am trying to say.

[Lenzabi]

You made perfect sense Ags! It is smarter to avoid pregnancy rather than condemn children to being born with lousy quality of life due to brain malformity.

[Agartha]

Thank you, Len! If I was living in one of those countries I sure wouldn't have a child, seeing as the risk of deformities and disability is soooo high right now!!!

I am quite skeptical but something is tingling my spidery senses with this virus... and I'm not sure what......

[Rockhopper]

I understood you perfectly too Ags.

So you are a descendant of the Minoans on Crete eh! That is where Beta Thal. first appeared!

This variant of Zika apparently is a mutation. The virus is endemic in south and central America and usually causes no problems. Even in pregnancy.

Damned Virii, why can't they stop changing so we can smite them?

Tim.

[Agartha]

I was just coming to say that it is a mutation and that the virus has been known since the '40s, I read about it an hour ago (procrastinating instead of writing my dissertation!! lol).

Tim, I am actually Alpha Thalassemia Trait, got it from my paternal grandmother who was from the island of Sardinia.... any interesting story to tell me about that? (pretty please? lol)

[Rogue]

Heard on the radio that Zika has arrived in the north of Aussie too.

I haven't heard any reports of this. There have been 6 cases here in Aussie evidently but all were contracted overseas. Obviously a big worry if or when it does get here.

[Rockhopper]

Prob. what they were talking about Roggie. I heard it on the radio news.

As far as I know Ags, Alpha Thal. came from the Greek Islands originally.

Tim.

[Kaere]

There's three cases here in Canada which were contracted elsewhere. I read somewhere that there may be some concern that it can be sexually transmitted. Like it's not terrifying enough! They're looking at ten years off for a vaccine as well...

[Rogue]

I see in the news nine reported in New Zealand and several on the Pacific Islands as well, all contracted overseas i believe.

[Stirky]

Very scary indeed, not good. Just seems to have all of a sudden sprung up and spreading fast. Although now women are being advised not to get pregnant, well it seems like a good way to control population in a very sick way! Or am I just being paranoid?? Trouble is what else can this virus do? What if it mutates???

[Rockhopper]

Yep. They have been in Central Am. Roggie.

Tim.

[Rogue]

...now women are being advised not to get pregnant, well it seems like a good way to control population in a very sick way! Or am I just being paranoid??

There are some very heavily populated countries around the Equator regions... just saying.

[Kaere]

It's already mutated, that's what's making it so quick and dangerous. I think they've linked it to a paralysis disorder thingo in Colombia (not sure on the country). I read an article earlier today saying how there may be an emergency vaccine available within about 7 months for those in harm's way...

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