It is a well-accepted concept in the biological control of pests that stringent and unbiased research must be conducted before releasing any organism into the wild. One of the reasons for this is that nature is a network and upsetting her balance causes secondary effects. A common example of a secondary effect is the rapid escalation of a secondary pest when one tries to control the main pest.
Given this well-established concept, I have to wonder about these sudden reported outbreaks of Zika and chikungunya across the Americas since 2014. We know about dengue but how many of us have ever heard of these other diseases spread by the same mosquitoes?
In the Zika infection, the impacts can be devastating with reports of brain damage in newborn babies due to the infection in pregnant women. Have you seen the heart-breaking photos of the infected newborns?
As if this was not catastrophic enough, the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) in the USA is presently working with authorities in Brazil to study a possible link between Zika and a usually rare syndrome known to lead to paralysis.
Brazil appears to be the epicentre of the Zika outbreak in the region, tragically with nearly 3,900 infected newborns. What happened in Brazil? It is interesting to note that tests were being conducted since 2011 and in 2014, Brazil became the first country to grant biosafety approval for the commercial release of genetically modified (GM) mosquitoes to help stop the spread of dengue. Scientists transformed two genes in the Aedes aegypti mosquito so that when modified males breed with wild females, the larva inherit a lethal gene and die. Dead mosquitoes means no dengue.
The GM mosquito is engineered and produced by a UK biotechnology company, Oxitec, which has close links to the agri-business Syngenta and says it has conducted successful trials in selected countries including Brazil. But one has to wonder if the research was properly conducted? Is the unexpected surge and spread a result of a classic secondary outbreak? Was the science done properly?
In the online magazine Genewatch (http://www.genewatch.org/sub-566989) it is reported that Oxitec attempted to release other GM insects without the conduct of the required proper full environmental risk assessments or public consultation, and was stopped due to the vigilance of informed and active groups such as GeneWatch UK.
Right now, residents of the Florida Keys, USA, are up in arms about the pending release of GM mosquitoes to control dengue with over 155,000 signing a petition opposing the trial of genetically-engineered mosquitoes. It should be noted that the online reports state that only 28 people were affected with dengue in the Florida Keys in 2009 and 2010. Is this enough to warrant the release of a still as yet controversial product?
(http://e360.yale.edu/feature/genetically_modified_mosquito_sparks_a_cont...)
While we in T&T are still grappling with the availability and distribution of H1N1 vaccines, Zika is running rampant and will, without a doubt reach our small islands, possible sooner than later. The CDC has issued a warning to pregnant women to avoid travel to 22 countries including Barbados and Guyana. Further to this, Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador and Jamaica are all calling on women to consider delay becoming pregnant. As of January 19, 2016, the CDC states that: “there is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat Zika” but we can be sure one will be available shortly. Vaccines are, after all, big business and conspiracy theories are running rampant.
But more important than the vaccine is the absolute absence of an effective public communications strategy aimed at educating the population about dangerous and devastating this threat that is so close. Thank goodness for the print and social media which is keeping us in the loop.
Reports state that it is possible for Zika and dengue to co-exist, so are our government labs prepared for detection? Or is it that in these hard times we will have to pay $700 and more to find out if we test positive? What happens if a pregnant woman tests positive? Has the Ministry of Health, Local Government and other agencies started putting things in place for immediate vector control or would it be like in the past where the Vector Control Unit comes to spray the area a whole year after diagnosis?
The CDC clearly states: “Because Zika virus outbreaks could cause additional burdens on all levels of the health care system, it is necessary to develop and implement protocols and well-established plans for the patient screening and treatment.”
The literature also states that it can be potentially transmitted through blood transfusions and other methods. Where is the information for the public health and safety?
Once again, we the citizens have to suffer for lack of good leadership and proper management. It is now beyond frustration and entering the realms of hopelessness.
Nisha Singh
Curepe