"Zika Virus: Brazil Dismisses Link Between Larvicide And Microcephaly"

"RIO DE JANEIRO --  A dispute has broken out in Brazil over whether the Zika virus is responsible for a rise in cases of microcephaly after a report by Argentinian doctors claimed a larvicide used in drinking water was instead to blame.

Brazilian health officials were on Monday forced to address claims that the larvicide pyriproxyfen, which is used to control the Aedes aegypti mosquito, could be associated with a surge in babies born with the condition after one state said it was suspending use of the chemical.

A report last week by Argentinian group Physicians in Crop-Sprayed Towns suggested pyriproxyfen might be causing the deformity, which impairs foetal brain development."

Donna Bowater reports for the Telegraph February 15, 2016.

SEE ALSO:

"Venezuela Faces ‘Worst-Case Scenario’ As Zika Outbreak Expands" (Washington Post)

"Genes, Bugs And Radiation: WHO Backs New Weapons In Zika Fight" (Reuters)

"America’s Most Dangerous Zika Challenge: Puerto Rico’S Health System Is Collapsing — And Nobody Wants To Help" (Salon)

"Doctors: Upsurge in Paralysis Condition Accompanies Zika" (AP)