El Salvador Issues Alert Against Mosquito Diseases

In an effort to contain human infection, El Salvador issued a national alert against a mosquito that transmits tropical diseases.

The country's civil protection agency called for preventive measures against bites from the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, across most of the country and for 47 towns and villages to be specifically checked.

‘The Pan American Health Organization issued a statement on the "new threat" posed by mosquitoes that transmits tropical diseases.’

The measure aims to curb the transmission of three viruses carried by the mosquito: dengue, chikungunya and Zika. While usually not fatal, the diseases are characterized by fever, joint pain, headaches and rashes. In babies, Zika infections can cause underdeveloped brains.

El Salvador urged pregnant women to take special precautions against Zika infection, especially during their first three months, and to quickly seek prenatal tests in case of concern.

The Pan American Health Organization last week issued a statement on the "new threat" posed by the spread of the Zika virus through several Latin American countries, notably in Brazil.

Source: AFP