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Brazil Hosts ‘National Day Against Zika’ as Virus Fears Escalate

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Source: Breitbart

Brazilian officials, including President Dilma Rousseff, took to the streets on Saturday for National Day Against Zika to raise awareness about the virus and ways to prevent it.

The government wrote in a press release:

The “National Day of Mobilization Zika Zero” will promote awareness in 350 municipalities, reaching approximately three million households across the country, with the participation of ministers of President Dilma Rousseff, health workers and 220 thousand soldiers.

Various politicians across the country made public appearances to raise awareness of Zika prevention techniques, including the elimination of still water pools and wearing long-sleeved clothing. Here, legislator Celina Leão meets her constituents.

Translation: Manaus enters the “war” against the Aedes mosquito in the National Day of Mobilization Zika Zero.

Translation: “The only vaccine against Zika is citizen awareness today,” says Minister.

Troops passed around fliers to residents with instructions “to reduce breeding grounds forAedes aegypti, the mosquito that transmits Zika, dengue fever and a close cousin, chikungunya.”

“At least once a week we should take 15 minutes, which isn’t much, to see, inspect and clean our homes,” declared Marcelo Castro, the Brazilian health minister. “More than two-thirds of the mosquitoes breed inside homes,” Mr. Castro said. “The army, navy, air force, military police, fire departments and agents who fight epidemics cannot do this alone.”

The officials, with President Rousseff, wore t-shirts that said, “A mosquito is not stronger than an entire country.” The government wants the communities to combat the mosquitoes, while the residents hoped the officials would do more.

“Sometimes the garbage piles up here for days, and it would be nice if they sprayed for mosquitoes once in a while,” said Joanice Jesus Bispo, who lives near the Atlantic Ocean.

In São Luís, Chief Minister of the Civil House Jaques Wagner and Mayor Edivaldo Junior pushed their citizens to do all they can to eliminate the mosquitoes.

“I ask everyone to continue to contribute to fight against mosquitoes so we can ensure the health of future generations,” said Wagner.

Doctors in Rio de Janeiro report two cases of Zika every hour. At the end of January, O Globo highlighted the role the Brazilian officials have played in allowing mosquito infestation in many of the nation’s urban hubs.

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Categories: Americas, Awareness, Brazil, Disease, South America, The Muslim Times

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