Conspiracy Theories, Myths And Rumors: How Misinformation Can Sabotage Fight Against Zika
Researchers worry that misinformation -- or as one scientist calls it, "the lifeblood of epidemics" -- about the virus, especially as it is amplified via social media, can undermine efforts to curb an outbreak. Meanwhile, a woman from Honduras has given birth to the first baby in the continental U.S. to have Zika-linked birth defects.
Baltimore Sun:
Conspiracy Theories Muddy Zika Public Health Message
The Zika virus is not being spread by genetically engineered mosquitoes, nor is it transmitted through vaccines. It also is not part of a plan by pharmaceutical companies to boost sales of a future vaccine. The rumors, conspiracy theories and myths about the virus being shared on social media and by word of mouth are seemingly as contagious as the disease. (Cohn, 5/31)
Stat:
First Baby With Zika-Linked Microcephaly Born In Continental US
A baby has been born in New Jersey with birth defects believed to be caused by the Zika virus, news outlets in the state reported Tuesday. If confirmed, it would be the first such case in the continental United States. (Branswell, 5/31)
ABC News:
Baby Born With Microcephaly In US To Woman Who Contracted Zika Elsewhere
The 31-year-old woman is from Honduras, according to a source briefed on the case. The mother learned of the baby's diagnosis recently, while she was still pregnant, according to the source. (Julia Jacobo, 5/31)
CNN:
Baby With Zika-Related Microcephaly Born At New Jersey Hospital
Doctors believe she was infected during the second trimester of her pregnancy. She experienced a fever and rash, both symptoms of the mosquito-borne disease, which is known to cause the devastating birth defect microcephaly and other neurological disorders. (Goldschmidt, 6/1)
And in other news about the virus —
Bloomberg:
Only A Dozen Inspectors Stand Between Zika And Miami
Mosquito season starts in earnest this week in the 2,000 square miles of Florida’s Miami-Dade County, which has had the most Zika cases in the U.S. To stop the insects and the epidemic they threaten, Chalmers Vasquez has just 12 full-time inspectors. Five months ago, President Barack Obama asked Congress to allocate $1.9 billion to fight the virus, but lawmakers haven’t acted. (Newkirk, 6/1)
The Associated Press:
UN: Sex Transmission Of Zika More Common Than First Thought
The U.N. health agency says sexual transmission of Zika is more common than first thought. It is updating its advice to women who have been in areas hit by the virus, telling them to wait even longer to conceive. The World Health Organization said Tuesday that couples or women planning pregnancy who live in or are returning from Zika-hit areas “are strongly recommended to wait at least eight weeks before trying to conceive” to ensure the virus has cleared their bodies. Previously, WHO recommended a four-week minimum period before trying to conceive in such circumstances. (5/31)
Meanwhile, there are no signs that Republicans lawmakers want to repay the money that was taken from Ebola crisis to use to fight Zika —
Stat:
Millions In Ebola Funding, A Casualty Of Zika Virus, May Not Be Replenished
Lawmakers are getting closer to steering additional money toward the effort to cope with the Zika virus. What they do not appear ready to do is plug a gaping hole in funding for what was until recently another global health crisis, Ebola. (Scott, 6/1)
