WHO's Zika warning

The mosquito borne Zika virus is a serious issue that requires state-community measures to effectively combat. The virus is known to be a cause of major neurological diseases including microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome, and it is pregnant women and their to-be born children who are the most at risk. This week, the World Health Organisation issued a warning to Bangladesh and 11 other Asian countries as two cases of microcephaly have been identified in neighbouring Thailand.

Zika is borne by Aedes mosquitoes, the same species which carries dengue. The WHO has issued the warning so that precautionary and preventive measures can be taken. Since travels between Bangladesh and the countries of Asia where cases of microcephaly have been identified are frequent, the danger is very real for the entire region. What is needed is to combat the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes, and in case of reported cases, proper health facilities for the affected.

Bangladesh has faced a dengue epidemic, and faced it well. The precautions are the same, from proper disposal of waste, disrupting standing water, and tacking the issue before the virus can spread. Of course, the community must be actively involved, alongside government efforts.

Due to the risks involved, the government must be efficient in the health screening process of those entering the country from abroad. On top of that, awareness is the call of the day: to educate people about the risks, symptoms, prevention and treatment is of utmost importance. Lessons learnt from combating dengue should make the process even more effective.