Larvicide and Zika Virus: Brazil Debunks Reports Blaming Pyriproxyfen for Microcephaly Cases
Brazil's Ministry of Health has debunked online reports claiming a larvicide from biotech firms Monsanto and Sumitomo — and not the Zika virus — is to blame for the surge of microcephaly cases in the country.
Over the weekend, officials from the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul suspended the use of a larvicide called pyriproxyfen over allegations that the chemical is the one causing microcephaly in babies, and not the Zika virus. The concerns stemmed from reports, conspiracy theories, and cover-up allegations that have been circulated online, according to CBS News.
Last week, an Argentina-based group called Physicians in the Crop-Sprayed Villages released a report saying the larvicide is being applied on the drinking water of the affected group of people. Aside from that, the group alleges that the cases of microcephaly are linked to exposure of pregnant women to pyriproxyfen, the report relays.
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"In the area where most sick persons live, a chemical larvicide producing malformations in mosquitoes has been applied for 18 months," the report of Physcians in the Crop-Sprayed Villages states. "And that this poison (pyroproxifen)[sic] is applied by the State on drinking water used by the affected population."
However, Brazil's Ministry of Health and other independent experts say otherwise. In a statement, the ministry said the association between Zika virus and microcephaly was established because of the presence of the virus in blood, tissue, and fluid samples. The ministry added that the link between pyriproxyfen and microcephaly, on the other hand, has no scientific basis, Tech Times reports.
In addition, Brazilian officials noted that there are patients with microcephaly who have not been exposed to pyriproxyfen. Moreover, the ministry said only larvicides approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) are being used.
On Monday, biotech firm Monsanto released a statement to clear up the issue. Speaking to Tech Times, the company clarified that they supply herbicides to Sumitomo Chemical Company but it does not own the Japanese firm. Monsanto also said the herbicide glyphosate or genetically modified organisms (GMOs) do not have any links to the Zika virus outbreak and to the cases of microcephaly.
Monsanto has expressed its support for efforts to fight the Zika outbreak. However, in light of the larvicide story, the company said it hopes the efforts will be based on facts and not simply on rumors.
