2400 infants born with microcephaly in Brazil; Zika, mosquito-borne virus, implicated

[blankall]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Not to sound cruel, but isn't this part of the natural balance of things?

Yes its tragic that they're killing people by carrying this disease, but isn't this part of the whole circle of life thing.

Plus who knows what will happen if you wipe them out, you might wipe out an untold number of other species, or worse something will evolve to take its place as an effective disease carrier, like an immune dog with bee's in its mouth that carry the virus.

The idea is to kill off only certain species of mosquitos that carry human pathogens. Theoretically those species would be replaced by similar species of mosquitos that aren't dangerous to humans.

You're right though, even that plan could have lots of unforeseen effects on the ecosystem, which is why it hasn't actually gone ahead.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by blankall

The idea is to kill off only certain species of mosquitos that carry human pathogens. Theoretically those species would be replaced by similar species of mosquitos that aren't dangerous to humans.

You're right though, even that plan could have lots of unforeseen effects on the ecosystem, which is why it hasn't actually gone ahead.

We've seen how well that kind of thing works. Don't worry we just want to kill these mosquito and control malaria.

opps, sorry about thinning the bird population and nearly wiping out the California Condor. Oh and causing cancer outbreaks among humans.

I think that when you start messing around with nature, we can't calculate the unintended consequences well enough.

[ranchlandsselling]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

We've seen how well that kind of thing works. Don't worry we just want to kill these mosquito and control malaria.

opps, sorry about thinning the bird population and nearly wiping out the California Condor. Oh and causing cancer outbreaks among humans.

I think that when you start messing around with nature, we can't calculate the unintended consequences well enough.

Yeah, like hiw small pox was part of nature, good thing we left that one alone!

[4X4]

Originally Posted by blankall

The idea is to kill off only certain species of mosquitos that carry human pathogens. Theoretically those species would be replaced by similar species of mosquitos that aren't dangerous to humans.

You're right though, even that plan could have lots of unforeseen effects on the ecosystem, which is why it hasn't actually gone ahead.

Nooo, the idea is to eradicate mosquitoes from the face of the Earth, consequences be damned.

[Thor]

So when the vaccine comes out for this, I'm sure the anti vaxx moms will refuse it right? ....

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by 4X4

Nooo, the idea is to eradicate mosquitoes from the face of the Earth, consequences be damned.

Ummm, there's a big difference between eradicating a disease through vaccinations and dumping poisons into the ecosystem.

I have no problem with destroying a disease. I have lots of problems with destroying something in the environmental chain without a great deal of thought and preperation. As well DDT was created with the best intentions and it was like dropping a nuke in Manhattan environmentally speaking.

[ranchlandsselling]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Ummm, there's a big difference between eradicating a disease through vaccinations and dumping poisons into the ecosystem.

I have no problem with destroying a disease. I have lots of problems with destroying something in the environmental chain without a great deal of thought and preperation. As well DDT was created with the best intentions and it was like dropping a nuke in Manhattan environmentally speaking.

DDT and killing mosquitoes with a tool can't be compared. One is a toxic carcinogen the other an efficient fly swatter.

I don't disagree with your concern. But, a micro-organism and a pesky insect are both very similar comparisons. Neither were man made, existed on their own and both cause awful life altering events on humans. One we almost eradicated with vaccines the other we'd like to kill off to prevent disease/death.

It's a bit hypocritical to be fully ok with one disease eradicated yet not eradicating a carrier of another disease when non-carrying varieties of the same pesky insect will continue to exist.

[Knut]

uh-oh

http://news.sky.com/story/1631065/zi...ommon-mosquito

[nik-]

An interesting tidbit of info for all the tinfoil hatters out there. Stolen from Reddit.

Oxitec released modified mosquitoes in Brazil to combat Dengue and announced their results in 2015. A dramatic 95% reduction in dengue mosquitoes. Stunning success.

http://www.oxitec.com/press-release-...dengue-hotspo/

Here is where they released the modified mosquitoes.



Here is the epicenter of the current outbreak of Zika.



The only reasonable conclusion is that Zika is man made and big Pharma is coming for us all.

For the record ... no, I don't.

[Knut]

It is also the poorest slums of Brazil where the greatest benefit / greatest risk is present.

[Knut]

http://www.iflscience.com/health-and...cientists-warn

There is a chance this could become a pandemic.

[sureLoss]

Florida now reporting that 4 people in Miami have contracted Zika via mosquitoes (or so they believe).

I imagine it will only be a matter of time before it gets to Canada.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/29/health...ion/index.html

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Florida now reporting that 4 people in Miami have contracted Zika via mosquitoes (or so they believe).

I imagine it will only be a matter of time before it gets to Canada.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/29/health...ion/index.html

I'm not going to lie, I'm a little freaked out about this right now. The proximity should be obvious, but it means that we are likely seeing this virus become endemic to North America. It was only a matter of time I guess. Very troublesome for us because the wife and I were planning on getting pregnant again very soon. It's scary because all it takes is one day that you don't put enough bug repellant on while you're pregnant.

I know that they'll be spraying like crazy for mosquitos in the wake of this news, but it can only do so much. They're everywhere down here, even in the winter, even with heavy spraying.

I'm rarely spooked by anything, but this one is getting to me.

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Florida now reporting that 4 people in Miami have contracted Zika via mosquitoes (or so they believe).

I imagine it will only be a matter of time before it gets to Canada.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/29/health...ion/index.html

The Zika virus is spread by the same mosquito that carries Dengue and Yellow fever, so it'll never get to Canada except in isolated cases.

[csnarpy]

And yet in 3 months I'm voluntarily going on vacation in 3 reported Zika virus areas.

This should be interesting. But fun!

(Belize, Honduras and Mexico)

[EVERLAST]

http://www.zikavirusnet.com/history-of-zika.htmlhttp:// http://www.zikavirusnet.com/...y-of-zika.html

[OldDutch]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

The Zika virus is spread by the same mosquito that carries Dengue and Yellow fever, so it'll never get to Canada except in isolated cases.

This is correct if you stay in Canada you have almost zero chance of getting Zika. Issue is that you'll have to suffer freezing cold beaches until a vacation is discovered.

[Raekwon]

Originally Posted by OldDutch

This is correct if you stay in Canada you have almost zero chance of getting Zika. Issue is that you'll have to suffer freezing cold beaches until a vacation is discovered.

Also don't sleep with anyone that has left Canada. Its best to just stay indoors under a desk these days anyway.

[Weitz]

If you get Zika aren't you only in "trouble" for 2 months, and then set for life?

[polak]

Doesn't this only affect people that want to have kids?

Zika me up bra