Brazil Zika
virus: 'War' declared on deadly mosquitoes
4 February 2016
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff
has declared war on mosquitoes responsible for spreading the Zika virus in a
recorded TV message to the nation.
She said a national mobilisation day would
be held on Saturday, during which thousands of soldiers and state employees
would work to eradicate the insects in homes and
offices.
Ms Rousseff said most mosquitoes breed in or near people's
homes.
Zika has been linked to babies being born
with underdeveloped brains.
It is spreading through the Americas and the World Health
Organization (WHO) has declared the microcephaly disease linked to the virus a
global public health emergency.
Laboratories in the US and Europe say they need
samples from previous outbreaks if they are to carry out effective research on the evolution of the virus.
President Rousseff said that everything would be done to help mothers,
pregnant women and children from the effects of the virus.
In her address, Ms Rousseff said that substantial federal resources were
being released to fight Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, because it was a fight that
"cannot be lost".
"All of us need to take part in this
battle," she said.
"We need help and good will from everyone.
Collaborate, mobilise your family and your community.
"I will insist, since science has not
yet developed a vaccine against the Zika virus, that the only efficient method
we have to prevent this illness is the vigorous battle against the mosquito."
The president also said that she wanted
especially to send a "comforting message" to mothers and future
mothers.
"We will do everything, absolutely
everything in our reach to protect you. We will do everything, absolutely
everything we can to offer support to the children affected by microcephaly and
their families."
Major obstacle
In a separate development, UN and US health officials have
accused Brazil of not sharing enough samples and data to determine
whether the virus is responsible for the increase in the number of babies born
with abnormally small heads.
Zika infections will rise in Colombia,
says president.
The Brazilian military will be at the forefront of Saturday's mobilisation
day against the virus.
The authorities say no stone will be left unturned in Brazil's
efforts to eradicate disease-carrying mosquitoes.
They say the lack of information is hampering efforts to provide diagnostic tests, drugs and
vaccines, the AP news agency reported.
Florida is among several US states which are taking measure
against the virus.
A major obstacle is Brazilian law, correspondents say, because it is
technically illegal for Brazilian researchers and institutes to distribute
genetic material, including blood samples containing Zika and other viruses.
European countries were warned on Wednesday
that they too needed to make preparations once the Aedes mosquitoes become
active on the continent during the spring and summer months.
Structure of the lead:
WHO- Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff
WHEN- on Saturday
WHAT- the Zika virus
WHY- Zika has been linked to babies being born with underdeveloped brains.
WHERE- Brazil
HOW- The president also said that she wanted especially to send a
"comforting message" to mothers and future mothers.
Keywords:
1. eradicate 根除
2. breed 繁殖
3. outbreak 爆發;暴動
4. evolution 進化;進展
5. substantial 實質上的
6. vigorous 有力的
7. infection 傳染;傳染病
8. hamper 阻礙;束縛;牽制
9. diagnostic 診斷的
10. obstacle 阻礙
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