The Zika crisis

The millennials must take up the lead to deal with the Zika crisis. When authorities discovered 14 cases of Zika in the neighboring Wynwood, Petie Pizzaro, 28, decided to create something out of the situation which resulted to pesticide spraying over his condo. Pizzaro cited drama on Tinder dating app, which is popular for hook-ups.  28 local cases of Zika crisis in South Florida were later discovered by Friday whose root is Wynwood.

The Zika transmission mode

It is still unclear on how prevalent is the sex factor in the transmission of the menace that results in neurological disorders in the new born. The U.S Center for Diseases Control and Prevention has however started to raise its concern. It is advising pregnant women, millennials and same-sex partners on safe as mosquitoes are not the sole carriers. Emily Nostro who is a special education teacher says that mosquitoes are considered as the primary carrier which is not the case.

Experts agree that the mosquito is the main concern but adds that women have high infection chances than men. The CDC officials are aware of 16 Zika cases, which are sexually transmitted in US inclusive of a female-male transmission. The virus is capable of staying in a man’s semen for an unclear number of months after it fades away. A CDC travel advisory warns pregnant women to stay away from Wynwood and men who display Zika symptoms to refrain from sex for at least six months.

A professor of mathematical epidemiology, Flávio Coelho, from Getulio Vargas Foundation in Brazil, says sex is becoming a major transmission player where women are more infected than the men.  In the 29,301 cases of Zika in Rio de Janeiro, he found out that women were 60% more likely to get infected with Zika than men. He said that the mosquito bites don not discriminate any gender looking at another dengue, another mosquito-borne disease, which shows no disparity between the two genders. His findings have raised disputes among other scientists.

Other Relevant experts’ opinions

According to Julie Fischer of the Georgetown University Medical Center, Coelho’s findings are provocative bearing the many assumptions put without taking into account other factors.  The co-director of the Global Health Science and Security program says that the vulnerability of women should be put into consideration. It is because some men with both asymptomatic and symptomatic disease are reluctant to seek medical attention.

Anxiety and fear have set off in South Florida as 25 cases of Zika are connected to Wynwood. Regina Castaneda, a standup comedian who hangs out in Wynwood, has been incorporating Zika awareness in her work. She is trying to get a test for Zika after spotting white and red splotches in her arms, face and body. Some countercultures, especially men say her case is a result of community spraying. 

Most of Emily Nostros friends stay in Wynwood and says that it’s hard to get tested if you cannot afford the $540 price tag for the pay. She notes that Florida only offers the free test to pregnant women who are a major challenge to the community.  Billboards have been set up on the highway drive to Wynwood urging people to get HIV and STD tests.  The Miami-Dade region takes the lead in HIV, gonorrhea and syphilis cases. And the authorities recommends regular STD tests to help cover the accurate numbers.

A health educator, Alex Moreno of the university of Miami health system is up scrambling for facts on Zika before school reopens.  He sees it as an opportunity connect with skeptical kids who are reluctant to HIV protection programs stating that Zika is not only carried by mosquitoes but a virus different from HIV that needs taming.  Pizarro, a startup entrepreneur, feels the apocalyptic nature of the local responses. He insists on the need to use a condom and take care always.

Contributor: admin