Zika-transmitting mosquito found in Chile for first time in decadesApril 19, 2016 - 11:06 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The species of mosquito that carries the Zika virus has been found in mainland Chile for the first time in six decades, the country's health minister said Monday, April 18, according to AFP. Chile was, with Canada, one of just two states in the Americas said to be free of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which carries the Zika virus that health authorities say causes birth defects in newborns. But health minister Carmen Castillo said Monday scientists had identified a specimen of the mosquito in mainland Chile for the first time since the 1960s. "It is an Aedes aegypti, which means that we have to take more precautions," she said. The country had previously reported cases of Zika in people who contracted it abroad and one case of it being sexually transmitted in Chile. Authorities had found Aedes aegypti on the country's remote Easter Island in the Pacific, but not on the mainland, largely protected from mosquitoes by mountains and deserts. The specimen was found in the northern city of Arica, Castillo said, according to AFP. Zika has been linked to cases of microcephaly in babies born to infected mothers. Babies with microcephaly have unusually small heads and damaged brains. Zika has also been linked to rare neurological diseases in adults. Related links: Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Lemkin Institute petition seeks release of Armenians in Azerbaijan The Lemkin Institute is deeply concerned about the continued illegal detention of political prisoners from Karabakh in Azerbaijan. Armenian Catholicos calls for national unity against threats Karekin II issued a message on Republic Day marking the anniversary of the First Armenian Republic. Pashinyan: Armenia’s desired goal is “on the horizon” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that Armenia is moving forward “without interruption”. Opposition leader, supporters spend night at Sardarapat memorial Police made nearly 300 arrests the day before as Galstanyan and his supporters continued to demonstrate in Yerevan. |