Beware Of Zika – Your Guide To Know Everything

The United States health officials have started to sound its alarm bells. The Zika Virus, which till date, was confined to lower and middle South American countries like Brazil, have now begun to travel towards the north. Countries like Argentina and Peru are already on the list of countries showing incidences of the outbreak.

The WHO & the CDC have jointly issued statements regarding the symptoms and preventive measures that have to be employed to contain the Zika Virus. The world was already recovering from the pathetic images that have shown Zika infected babies, with their trademark tiny heads, and most countries were heaving huge sighs of relief as the cases were predominantly reported in Latin American nations. But, this reprieve has now been cut short as health officials warn of an increase in the chances of the illness spreading to other countries across the world, due to several factors like tourism, etc. The scientists at the CDC have also been speculating if the virus has mutated into a more contagious form.

The United States has already warned its citizens about the risks associated with going on trips in South American countries and have issued standard procedures that they will have to keep in mind before and after the visit. Some of the risk nations are Brazil, Costa Rica, Aruba, Argentina, Guatemala, Belize, etc. Even Cape Verde, a popular tourist destination in the African continent is now on the CDC’s list.

The CDC has strongly advised pregnant women to forego their intention to visit these and other places associated with the risk of Zika. It also recommends regular testing of body fluids for the presence of Zika virus, after coming home from holidaying in these countries. It also advises the use of insect repellent to ward off disease-carrying Aedes Aegypti Mosquitoes, covering your all visible parts of the body and choosing hotels that have insect screens.

Us Citizens Are On The Health Race

citizen

Seems like the Government is bent upon improving the life of citizens. A whole new set of guideline for health improvement is being introduced now. These guidelines are revised every five years and it is mandatory that people follow this. From school canteens to prison kitchens, this is what dieticians build every diet upon. The main requirements are to limit Sugar, minimize saturated fat, reduce salt, and add more fruits, vegetables and fiber to your diet.

Sugar
Sugar intake is quite high and nobody actually realizes that they are piling on sugar in their diet. They are so used to follow their daily routines of sweetened coffees, fast food which often contains loads of sugar, juices, carbonated drinks etc. The maximum limit os sugar intake is now restricted to 10% of your daily diet.

Cholesterol levels
This is something to be very careful about. It is all related to heart health. Cholesterol clogs up arteries and caused all sorts of heart ailments. It is so much better to restrict the intake of high cholesterol food rather than restrict the blood flow to your heart by clogging. Citizens have been asked to reduce the intake of saturated fat and maintain cholesterol levels at a healthy rate.

Health

Proteins
A large quantity of Red meat is strictly off limits. Fish can be included in your daily diet as much as possible. Protein rich food helps to build muscle mass which is necessary as people age.

Fruits and vegetables
From when you are small, you have heard that you need to eat more fruits as well as vegetables. The saying still goes. Have as much as veggies and fruits to keep your body fit and healthy. Fibrous leafy veggies are your best friends.

Alcohol
The government is becoming quite concerned on this one. They have limited the number of drinks per day to one for women and two for men. You can also have moderate quantities of coffee. That would be 3-5 cups a day.

Overall the citizens will have to be health conscious of everything they eat. It is after all to be safe than sorry at the end of the day!