Brazil’s Military, Cabinet Ministers Educate Public In Zika Prevention Drive

The Guardian: Brazilian soldiers to be deployed in ‘mega’ Zika prevention drive
“Hundreds of thousands of Brazilian soldiers are to be deployed in towns and cities in a one-day push to raise awareness of mosquito breeding grounds amid the Zika virus outbreak…” (Gayle, 2/13).

New York Times: Brazil Pushes Public to Do Its Part in Fighting Zika Spread
“Nearly a quarter of a million soldiers, sailors, and other military personnel began fanning through Brazilian cities over the weekend as part of an ambitious campaign to combat the mosquitoes that are spreading Zika, the virus believed to be linked to a surge in infants born with severe brain damage…” (Jacobs, 2/14).

NPR: Brazilian Military Takes Aim At Mosquito Problem
“…The ‘Zero Zika’ campaign, which the Associated Press calls ‘unprecedented,’ aims to reach three million homes in 350 cities across Brazil. Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff is also hitting the ground to spread information, and the AP reports that Rousseff was planning to send cabinet ministers to each of Brazil’s 27 states as well… (Domonoske, 2/13).

PRI: Zika is a window into a much bigger story in Brazil
“…Zika is only part of a much bigger story in Brazil. It’s a story about mosquitoes, public health, water, and women, which is why The World has sent its Across Womens’ Lives team to Brazil for the next two weeks. They’re there to report on how Zika fits into the story of Brazilian women’s struggles to improve their lives in a time of rapid and often disturbing environmental change…” (Thomson, 2/15).

Reuters: Brazil enlists army, cabinet in campaign against Zika
“… ‘Brazil and the world have lost the battle against dengue, but we won the war against yellow fever, which is carried by the same mosquito. We will win the war against Zika,’ Rousseff said as she launched the campaign, which also targets other mosquito-borne diseases…” (Cascione, 2/13).

Wall Street Journal: Brazil State Bans Pesticide After Zika Claim
“Brazil’s southernmost state halted the use of a mosquito larvicide that an Argentine doctors’ group warns could be behind the recent surge of babies born with microcephaly. The ban was imposed despite assertions by the federal government and U.S. health authorities that there is no scientific basis linking use of the chemical to the birth defect…” (Johnson/Jelmayer, 2/15).

Washington Post: Brazil reports explosion of dengue, a bad omen for spread of Zika virus
“Brazil on Friday reported a nearly 50 percent jump in cases of dengue fever reported over a three-week period in January, a worrying finding because the disease is carried by the same mosquito that spreads the Zika virus. ‘This is a very strong indication that the Zika cases are increasing and that the combat against the mosquito is not being efficient,’ said Marcos Lago, an associate professor of infectious diseases and pediatrics at the State University of Rio de Janeiro…” (Phillips, 2/12).

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