Zika Strikes in Vietnam

The Zika virus is making it’s way around the globe. Vietnam has now confirmed 23 cases of the mosquito borne virus after a warning from the World Health Organisation (WHO) that the disease may be likely to spread throughout Asia. Here’s an article with more information.

Vietnam confirms 23 Zika cases

The number of confirmed Zika cases in Vietnam has more than doubled over the past three days to 23, with a dozen of the new infections recorded in the commercial hub of Ho Chi Minh City, the health ministry said yesterday.

The main concern surrounding Zika is the threat of microcephaly to pregnant women. This is a very severe birth defect that results in the brain and head of a child being undersized.

Of course, it’s not just Zika that can be the cause of this devastating disability. However, as mosquitoes seem to be named as one of the contributing factors to the cause of this illness, it’s important that we do all we can to protect ourselves. Especially for expectant mothers.

It’s not just women that need to be mindful. The latest research has revealed that there could be a possibility that the virus could have an impact on male fertility.

Zika shrinks mice testicles, damaging fertility

If you’re a guy mouse, the news about Zika’s effect on your sex life couldn’t be worse. Not only did male mice infected with the Zika virus have a tougher time getting females pregnant, their levels of sex hormones crashed, and their testicles shrunk by 90%, possibly permanently, according to new research by the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
Of course, these are mice, not men.

The message here is clear. We need to take all preventative measures against mosquitoes. Not just from Zika but from all the other, often deadly diseases they transmit to us as humans.