2.2 billion people live in risk areas into Zika outbreak

A group of scientists has mapped the regions of the world where Zika virus can spread widely, showing that more than 2 billion people live in these areas.

The study to determine the Zika region spreads more complicated than just zoning the areas where this zoonotic mosquito can survive, according to the BBC.

Dr. Oliver Brady (University of Oxford, UK) affirmed: "We are the first to add a regional prediction map to translate accurate information about geographical and environmental conditions, based on research data. save Zika ".

By identifying the places where Zika can break out, scientists can predict the next most vulnerable areas. They confirmed that large areas of South America, one of the current Zika outbreaks, is the most risky place.

Picture 1 of 2.2 billion people live in risk areas into Zika outbreak
The red areas are places where conditions for Zika virus spread.(Photo: BBC).

These are the areas along the coast and the main cities of the Amazon river, as well as its zigzag branches that flow through the continent.

In the United States, Florida and Texas are believed to be places where the Zika virus is easily spread when temperatures rise in the summer.

After the Americas, Africa and Asia are identified as Zika outbreaks.

Overall, the team thinks that about 2.2 billion people living in areas are classified as "at risk".

According to Dr. Brady, mosquitoes are just one of many factors for Zika to spread."Temperatures need to be warm enough for Zika to regenerate inside mosquitoes, or the population must be large enough to infect the virus," Brady said.

However, the study does not explain why these continents, outside the Americas, have not reported any large-scale viral infections so far.

A possible explanation is that people here may have been infected with Zika, and most of the population is immune to the virus.

Picture 2 of 2.2 billion people live in risk areas into Zika outbreak
Zika has spread to more than 30 countries.

Another idea is that people infected with Zika may be misdiagnosed as other infectious diseases such as dengue or malaria.

Zika has spread to more than 30 countries. The country that discovered the first Zika virus in Latin America is Brazil. The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has confirmed that Zika virus is the culprit causing thousands of children to suffer from small head disease (brain atrophy).

The World Health Organization (WHO) on February 1 declared a global emergency when cases of serious birth defects suddenly increased. WHO also established a global response team in response to the spread of Zika virus.