Cuba Deploys Security Forces In Effort To Prevent Zika Outbreak

Cuban President Raul Castro ordered 9,200 troops and police to help eradicate the mosquitoes and protect the country against the Zika virus.

Cuba has not officially recorded any cases of the mosquito-borne virus, which is strongly suspected of causing serious birth defects in babies born to infected mothers.

Zika Fever - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention
Zika virus is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes which causes mild fever with maculopapular rash. No treatment or vaccine is currently available.

‘The elimination of mosquito breeding grounds like standing water that creates a habitat for mosquito larvae plays a significant role in the reduction of mosquito-borne disease.’

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But 28 countries and territories in the Americas and Caribbean have reported cases of active Zika transmission, with 1.5 million in Brazil, the hardest-hit country.

"In this environment, it is essential that all citizens and entities adopt the strictest standards of hygiene and take measures to combat the virus," Castro was quoted as saying by official media.

The mobilized forces include 9,000 soldiers and reservists, as well as 200 national police.

Swift Action Needed To Minimize Economic Impact Of Zika Outbreak: World Bank
The impact of the mosquito-borne Zika virus will be modest, if $3.5 billion, or 0.06 percentage points is taken off of gross domestic output (GDP) for the affected region this year.

Countries throughout the region have launched operations to eliminate pools of stagnant water where the mosquitoes, which also spread dengue and chikungunya viruses, can breed.

The World Health Organization has said evidence is growing that Zika causes microcephaly, a birth defect in which a baby has an abnormally small head and often incomplete brain development.

International Health Experts to Visit Brazil to Check Rise in Zika Virus
Experts from the US Centers for Disease Control are already in Brazil and officials from the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health, are due to arrive.

The virus is also believed to be tied to a rise in cases of the paralysis-causing Guillain-Barre syndrome in eight countries, including Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador and Venezuela.

There is currently no cure or vaccine against the Zika virus.

Mexico Reports Six Confirmed Cases Of Zika Virus In Pregnant Women
The women are among 80 total Zika cases in Mexico, with more than half of them reported in the southern impoverished state of Chiapas.

The WHO has warned that the virus' spread could be "explosive," infecting up to 4 million people.

Source-AFP