The 04/16/2016
A study, published Wednesday, April 13 in the New England Journal of Medicine, confirms the link between the Zika virus and cases of microcephaly. But what should we think of it?
Zika virus is a cause of microcephaly
Researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are categorical: there is a link between the Zika virus and cases of microcephaly. This information makes the protection of pregnant women living in areas affected by the epidemic even more urgent, particularly in Brazil, where there have been more than 1.5 million cases.
” We believe that microcephaly is probably one of a range of birth defects that could affect women, either at a particular time in pregnancy, or throughout pregnancy. ”, Explained Tom Frieden, director of CDC. “ There is still a lot that we don’t know but there is no longer any doubt, Zika is a cause of microcephaly “.
If the link is clearly established by this team of researchers, it is not yet possible to know at what stage of pregnancy the contamination can cause the malformation.
Monsanto dismissed?
In February, an Argentinian researcher, Eduardo Avila Vasquez, member of the Association of Doctors of Fumigated Peoples, had implicated an insecticide used to kill mosquito larvae in Brazil in the development of these famous microcephaly. An insecticide manufactured by “a strategic partner” of Monsanto.
” There are a large number of areas where the Zika virus has developed that has not had a case of microcephalyâ € ‹, which makes us think that these malformations can be linked to other causes and, since 2014, these areas have been sprayed with pyriproxyfen He explained.
According to these researchers, this larvicide has been used for 18 months in areas where patients live. In addition, in other countries such as Colombia where the Zika virus is well established, there are no cases of microcephaly.
What should we think ? New studies will certainly still be necessary to see more clearly …
Read also: 5 things to know about the Zika virus
