Zika or Not?

3rd adult died from Zika virus: Brazil health ministry

Brazil health authorities have confirmed the death of a third adult from Zika virus infection.

The latest reported victim was a 20-year-old woman, who suffered from lupus, arthritis and alcoholism. Her compromised immune system was unable to fight the ZIKV infection.

The three deaths occurred one each in the northeastern state of Rio Grande do Norte, the northern state of Para, and the city of Sao Luis, capital of the northern state of Maranhao.

Authorities believe the infection may have already killed up to 76 babies in Brazil, all of whom died with microcephaly after their mothers had contracted Zika.

However, they are still investigating whether Zika can cause microcephaly. Of the 4,000 or so reported cases of microcephaly, only 17 were linked to Zika, while 709 other cases have been ruled out.

Related Links

• ‘Evidence of Zika Virus Infection in Brain and Placental Tissues’ February 11, 2016

Drought Intensifying in the U.S. South and West

70 percent or more of the areas across 20 states are abnormally dry or in drought

The entire states of Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, New Jersey, New Mexico and Rhode Island are in abnormally dry condition (D0) or experiencing various drought levels (D1 – D4).

Drought Map of Contiguous U.S.  released May 31, 2012.

More than 90 percent of the areas in the U.S. states of Nevada, South Carolina (99.07), Utah, Texas, Georgia and Massachusetts are also in D0 – D4 drought conditions.

• The other states experiencing drought conditions are (%)

• Alabama (87.97)
• Kansas (85.84)
• Wyoming (85.08)
• Florida (84.82)
• California (84.11)
• New Hampshire (80.9)
• Louisiana (79.72)
• Maryland (73.09)
• Oklahoma (72.7)
• Tennessee (70.66)
• Iowa (69.9)

“We haven’t seen it quite like this since the 2002 season, which was a big wildfire season,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Joe Rame.

“… a combination of abnormal dryness and heat sparked rapid drought development across the middle and lower Mississippi Valley, while near-record heat across the Southeast was interrupted by hit and miss thunderstorm activity. During the upcoming three month period, drought persistence is expected across the Great Basin and central Rockies due to a dry climatology, while the onset of the monsoon season may bring some relief to portions of the Southwest.” NWS/CPC reported.

Other Global Disasters, Significant Events

• Brazil.  More than 800 municipalities in northeastern Brazil are in drought emergency, following an official announcement that 25 more cities in Pariaba state are in drought condition.
  • The worst-hit states include Bahia, Ceara, Pariaba, and Rio Grande do Norte, with a total of more than 10 million people affected.
  • In the worst-affected areas water is trucked to the parched cities.

• Beijing, China.   Water consumption in the Chinese capital Beijing is expected to reach a record high this summer, the authorities said.
  • Peak  consumption in Beijing is forecast to reach 2.97million cubic meter per day.
  • The city has a maximum daily capacity of 3 million m³/day.
  • Beijing Municipality has a population of at least 20million.
    
  • “On May 28, Beijing’s water consumption reached 2.77 million m³, exceeding the peak amount seen last year,” said the report.
  • Beijing has been experiencing drought for 13 consecutive years,” and its fast-paced economic development and ever-growing population have exacerbated the water shortage.”
  • Average water consumption in China is about 80 liters per person per day, or less than 15 percent of the U.S. consumption.

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• The Fate of Energy Dinosaurs
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar