ZIKA NEWS: Airlines Must Spray Planes To Avoid Zika Virus

Aircraft returning to the UK from countries affected by the Zika virus are to be sprayed with insecticide, Jane Ellison, the public health minister has announced.

The Government said that the move was part of a “comprehensive response to the disease” and comes three days after the World Health Organisation, said microcephaly – which may be linked to Zika – was a public health emergency of international concern.

Disinfecting the aircraft with insecticide will take place on all flights to the UK from countries where the presence of the disease has been confirmed.

Spraying the aircraft with disinfectant is intended to kill any mosquitos which could have entered the aircraft, reducing the risk of passengers being bitten during the flight.

On many flights from the region this is done already as a precaution against malaria.
“I want to reassure people that the risk to the UK population is extremely low,” Ms Ellison said.

“We advise people travelling to affected areas to reduce the risk of themselves being bitten by wearing mosquito repellent, long sleeves and trousers.

“Pregnant women should consider avoiding travel to countries with the Zika virus – or if travel is unavoidable, they ought to seek travel health advice from their GP or a travel clinic well in advance of their trip.”

The move comes as the Spanish health authorities confirmed the first known case of a pregnant woman carrying the virus in Europe.
She was identified as a woman who was 12-14 weeks pregnant who had travelled to Colombia.

The epidemic, which has been linked to the birth defect microcephaly, originated in Brazil last year, and has since spread to 22 other countries.
In a separate move the Government in the UK has announced an additional £1 million will be spent on research to tackle the virus which will be in addition to the £1 billion Ross fund which includes provision for developing vaccines and tests for diseases such as Zika.

The most common symptoms of the Zika disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes), usually lasting from several days to a week, and most patients don't need hospitalisation. However the outbreak in Brazil has led to instances of Guillain-Barre syndrome and pregnant women giving birth to babies with birth defects

How it spreads
- Through mosquitoes, which mostly spread the virus during the day
- Through sexual transmission
- Mosquitoes also spread dengue and chikungunya viruses
- There is no vaccine

How to prevent it
- Avoid getting mosquito bites by using insect repellants, and wearing long-sleeved shirts and trousers
- Use air conditioning and/or a window screen to keep mosquitoes outside
- Sleep under a mosquito bed net
- Reduce the number of mosquitoes by emptying standing water from containers such as flowerpots or bucket