Pacific paddlers innocent of causing Zika outbreak

Gerald McCormack of the Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust wrote this feature disputing the idea that Pacific paddlers might have taken feared mosquito disease Zika to Brazil. The article explains the spread of Zika and how “herd immunity” serves to protect us from an immediate return of the disease. The Cook Islands experienced a Zika outbreak in 2014 and health authorities have since been keeping a close eye on other outbreaks in neighbouring Pacific countries, including Samoa.

Gerald McCormack of the Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust wrote this feature disputing the idea that Pacific paddlers might have taken feared mosquito disease Zika to Brazil. The article explains the spread of Zika and how “herd immunity” serves to protect us from an immediate return of the disease. The Cook Islands experienced a Zika outbreak in 2014 and health authorities have since been keeping a close eye on other outbreaks in neighbouring Pacific countries, including Samoa.