As reported by the Washington Post on February 3, 2016, the Zika Virus, currently carving a path through the Americas and causing the birth defect microcephaly, is likely exacerbated by human activities in Brazil, Latin America, and around the world.
Urbanization and the subsequent waste that covers the landscape provides a perfect breeding ground because of collected standing water.
The building of dams, especially unreliable dams that cause greater flooding, allow for even more places to breed for the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
Deforestation brings humans and animals together, enabling quicker and easier transmission of diseases.
Finally, global warming means the global environment is becoming better suited to the Aedes aegypti, who thrive in warmer climates.
Based off this information, it is clear that the Zika virus is not something that Brazil or even mosquitoes should be blamed for, but we all should be blamed for. These human activities are things in which we are all culprits.
Washington Post Article - https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/02/03/the-hidden-environmental-factors-behind-the-spread-of-zika-and-other-deadly-diseases/
Urbanization and the subsequent waste that covers the landscape provides a perfect breeding ground because of collected standing water.
The building of dams, especially unreliable dams that cause greater flooding, allow for even more places to breed for the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
Deforestation brings humans and animals together, enabling quicker and easier transmission of diseases.
Finally, global warming means the global environment is becoming better suited to the Aedes aegypti, who thrive in warmer climates.
Based off this information, it is clear that the Zika virus is not something that Brazil or even mosquitoes should be blamed for, but we all should be blamed for. These human activities are things in which we are all culprits.
Washington Post Article - https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/02/03/the-hidden-environmental-factors-behind-the-spread-of-zika-and-other-deadly-diseases/