Let's Talk Zika Virus

Let’s Talk asks callers to air their views on the Zika virus scare. Zika is suspected, but not proven, to be the cause of birth defects in Brazil. The virus is spread by the aedes aegypti mosquito, which also carries dengue and yellow fever viruses. It is a tropical mosquito, and is found in the southern US. As temperatures increase in the northern hemisphere, the mosquito may spread further north.

Since Zika was first identified in Uganda in 1957 it has been spread by travelers around the tropical areas of the world. In the nearly 60 years since its discovery it has never before been suspected of causing microcephaly. Some scientists suspect other causes for the birth defects seen in South America, such as the larvicides and genetically modified mosquitoes being used to control the aedes aegypti. The sudden surge in numbers of microcephaly in Brazil is also suspected to be a result of loose survey criteria and over-reporting.

Is this another case of the fear mongering we witnessed during other scares about West Nile virus, bird flu and the Light Brown Apple Moth? Is the rush to blame Zika for horrifying birth defects partly a grab for governmental department funding and pharmaceutical profits? Will vector control districts begin wholesale spraying of US towns, as they have in the past? Is there reason to fear the supposed prevention measures more than the virus itself?

Please listen on Thursday February 25th between 11 a.m. and noon, and call 415-663-8492 or tweet us @letstalkonkwmr. Your voice matters!