I was waiting to comment on the Zika virus until more information comes to light, but I have decided to throw my two cents in. As most of you know, in Brazil, there is an epidemic of microcephaly—infants being born with tiny heads and many health problems associated with it. An astute doctor in Brazil first recognized the connection between microcephaly and the Zika virus.
However, it is far from proven that the Zika virus is causing microcephaly. I do not think Zika is causing the epidemic of microcephaly in Brazil. The reason I do not think Zika is causing this epidemic is that Zika has been around for a long time—why has microcephaly suddenly become an epidemic in Brazil? And, where are the other cases of microcephaly where Zika virus is endemic?
Zika virus is spread to people through mosquito bites. The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week. Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon.
Zika was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in rhesus monkeys. Outbreaks of Zika virus have been recorded in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and the Pacific. I will ask the question: Over the last 70 years, where are the cases of microcephaly in these Zika-endemic areas?
In the mainland U.S., 35 cases of Zika have been reported and these are all travel-associated. There have been no locally acquired vector-borne cases reported. The CDC has issued travel warnings and recommending abstaining from sex if a male partner has travelled to a place where Zika is spreading.
Something is causing microcephaly in this Zika-infested area of Brazil. It is interesting that the area where the residents are suffering with microcephaly is the same area where 800,000 genetically modified mosquitoes were released to counter both dengue and Zika viral infections. Could there be a link between the cases of microcephaly and the release of the genetically modified mosquitoes? Yes, but it is much too early to draw this conclusion.
What else could be causing the microcephalic problem? Interestingly, pregnant women of Brazil were required to get a new vaccine—DTwP (the whole-cell pertussis vaccine). Perhaps there is a problem with this new vaccine? Asking the proper questions can only begin the thought process to finding the correct answers. By the way, this new vaccine contains aluminum hydroxide which is a known neurotoxin that has no business being injected into any living being. (To be fair, many vaccines in the U.S. also contain aluminum.) Also, I have seen reports that pregnant Brazilian women were encouraged (perhaps required) to also receive the MMR vaccine. Are the DTwP and MMR safe to give during pregnancy? Nobody knows as there have been no randomized studies on whether these vaccines are safe or effective for pregnant women. (Of course, we have it no better here—there are zero randomized studies showing the same thing with the flu vaccine or the TDaP vaccines which are routinely given to pregnant women in the U.S.)
Could this problem be caused by a pesticide or other environmental toxin? Hopefully future research will answer all these questions. Right now, I would not rule out any of the ideas I have thrown out here. As for Zika causing the epidemic—I doubt it.
What can be done? First, there is no reason for the U.S. to panic. Zika is a relatively mild virus in most cases. Hopefully, we will see the proper research being done to ascertain what has happened in Brazil. Would I change travel plans to Brazil for the summer Olympics? No. However, I would take a lot of vitamin C and iodine with me!
Let’s hope that the CDC doesn’t pour all its energy into making a vaccine against Zika until it is proven to be the cause of this epidemic. And, if we are going to have a vaccine against Zika, perhaps we could get a safe vaccine that does not contain neurotoxins.
Funny how these sensationalistic stories come out in the mainstream media, everyone gets into an uproar, and then they die down just as fast as they started. I almost have a hard time not laughing and wonder when the next “epidemic” will hit. I have an even more difficult time not shaking my head when the last thing I read in the mainstream media claimed the Zika virus might cause guillain barre syndrome. I believe “they” do these things so we won’t suspect the flu shot as the culprit. I am very skeptic of mainstream news anymore.
Dr.B: I have been a subscriber to your newsletter for many years and I look forward to this every month. Do you have any concern about the level of heavy metals found in various brands of Lugol’s solution and which brand is safe? Also, is there any concern about Celtic sea salt given how polluted the oceans are?
This is why I read your blog. You are the voice of reason and common sense.
This scare-mongering in order to get people to do what the CDC wants us to do is crazy. They will stop at nothing to control our thoughts.
We have to do our own research and not buy into everything that is in print! The same info you have was on GreenMedInfo.
Thank you for be a doctor with integrity!
Dr. Brownstein, do you think allergy to iodine actually exist? I did HTMA (Hair Tissue Minerals Analysis) a few months back and my iodine levels are quite low. At first glance, it would seem I am allergic to iodine as my skin reacted to Lugol’s iodine (just one drop on the skin left red spot for a week). I’ve read somewhere the redness is caused by bromine and other toxic elements leaving the body. I would like to understand what is going on but there isn’t much info on such reaction to iodine.
Pablo,
An allergy to inorganic, non-radioactive iodine is very rare. I would suggest taking it orally and not applying it topically–for the best results. If you do have an allergy, NAET has been helpful–www.naet.com.
DrB
Is Liposomal Vitamin C also much better than regluar Vitamin C? I hear that 1 gram of liposomal Vitamin C is supposed to be as good as 5-10 grams from an IV. What about the whole food forms of Vitamin C supplements that are not just plain ascorbic acid? Are any of these really worth paying more money for than just regular ascorbic acid?
Sorry, correction: “only 17 have shown ‘a relationship with the Zika virus.’” – not “less than 10.”
Are the Vitamin C supplements with at least 500mg of bioflavonoids for every 1000mg of Vitamin C really any better than the ones without it? Also, do we need to worry about ascorbic acid being made from GMO corn?
Have you seen this interview with Dr Judy Mikovits? Just another look inside the hedious ingredients of vaccines right from the scientists who are manipulating them: http://youtu.be/n6HPe-s1V2o
i would be interested in her thoughts regarding the microcephallly occurring in these children.
Good article, a comment on the iodine. I am 45 and have been getting bad hives which turn into Uticaria patches and what seemed like histamine intolerance. I have read and listened to you speak about iodine and also Dr Sherry Tenpenny. So I upped my dose of idoral to 25mg a day. My skin has cleared up and only have the odd hive break out. Probably need the 50mg you recommend – but idoral is not cheap in NZ. How do you like the Lugols iodine?
Keep up the good info along with Drs Tent and Senacle… Looking forward to what Randy has installed next…
Heather,
Thanks for the story! I am coming to the Land Down Under shortly to lecture (in Aus). Lugol’s iodine works great. 8 drops of Lugol’s 5% is equal to 50 mg of iodine/iodide. More information about my trip can be found here: http://thelucyroseclinic.com.au/#sthash.dBOMayP9.dpbs
DrB
Dr. Browstein, thank you for being a clear and logical voice in all the confusion.
It is odd that the microcephaly problem became a major problem in Brazil at exactly the same time the Brazilian government started requiring EVERYONE (including pregnant women) to get the Tdap vaccine.
I’ve noticed that the Mayo Clinic Web site uses the word “MAY” over-and-over when talking about possible connection between Zika and microcephaly. I have been reading that there is no scientific proof that Zika can cause microcephaly.
I hope this is not just another scare tactic by governments to place more control over our health care.
Please keep up the good work. It is appreciated by many.
Thanks, Ray.
Brazil also poisoned the drinking water by spraying pesticides designed to kill GMO mosquitos that were released.
Oy vey!
DrB
Dr. Brownstein you are the best! Using your platform for education.
I started taking Iodoral l and it has changed my life.
What Vitamin C do you recommend?
Thanks, Anna!
I usually recommend buffered vitamin C powder.
DrB
Thanks for another informational Post, and taking on the next media-driven health controversy. It will be interesting how Big Pharma will hide/slander this topic??
Keep up the great work, people, and M.D.’s, are listening!
Jason Buffington, M.D.
Duluth, MN
Thank you for this article.
wondering what your recommendation is on the vitamin c for adults and children. I have sodium asorbate, but not exactly sure how to dose it for maintenance and acute illness.
Jenny,
I usually suggest taking around 5,000mg/day for maintenance and much more for acute infections. Vitamin C can be taken to bowel tolerance.
DrB
As a health professional, by and large, I think it is just plain, playing Russian Roulette to administer vaccines filled with known toxins to pregnant women! If Big Pharma had its way, it would mandate a vaccine to get up in the morning and one to go to bed at night. Pathetic… messing with human lives!
Per Jon Rapaport there are 17 cases of microcephaly where Zika virus has been found. The other less than 300 confirmed microcephalic cases had NO Zika virus present.
Thank you, Dr. B, for a touch of sanity in the war to ignite fear in all of us. It sounds like Zika is about as bad as a cold for most who get it. I doubt they are actually testing and just spouting off numbers if symptoms are similar.
I wonder if the push is not to prime us for when a vaccine is developed so we will agree to get it?
Not sure what is going on for me but a few days of mosquito bites are raising a red spot 1/2″ to 3/4″ where the redness used to be pretty much close the bite itself even here. It stays raised for close to a week as well.
I am now leaving my back door closed. I do live in Mexico.
Thank you for speaking out against the media hysteria and obvious bias against real science and information. It is definitely time for men and women of integrity, strength of character and intelligence to step into the gap and bring understanding and knowledge to the ignorant and purposefully deceived people of our planet. May God help us. Thank you Dr. Brownstein for being one of those.
Its nice to hear more of the big picture. I feel we can’t trust what we hear in the news. Thank you Dr Brownstein for sharing it with us. Trisha
Actually, my own suspicion was that some company has already developed a vaccine for Zika, and all this hooblah about an epidemic is being stirred up deliberately in order to create worldwide fear and a lot of advance sales for their new product. I suggest we don’t buy into such covert medical terrorism.
Brazil is the nation that uses the most pesticides…some that many other countries won’t use. Glyphosate (RoundUp) does have small heads and brain damage as a result. The US has 25,000 small heads a year with no Zika virus. Causes are pesticides, rubella, diabetes, etc.
Zika virus was created by Rockefeller scientists in labs in monkeys in 1947. It did not emerge from the wild.
GMO mosquitoes have been released but their offspring usually die in the larva stage….some 15% may survive.
I have little faith that the proper studies will be done to determine the real cause. If vaccines are the cause, it will never be admitted, and the same with GM mosquitoes, or even pesticides. So many alarms, so many changing stories. Is it transmitted through a mosquito as reported, or is it a sexually transmitted disease…..AS reported? A have little faith in an, oft times, dishonest system.
Jill,
That is the sad part. The folks who are supposed to be watching out for us are clearly not looking for our best interests.
DrB
Dr. Brownstein, I am curious why vaccines aren’t made in an alcohol base, like homeopathic tinctures, as a safer alternative than animal serums? It seems that introducing different animal serum DNA via vaccinations is also part of the breakdown? I don’t know, I just have my theories, but none of it frightens me, ie Zika. There are a multitude of viruses and bacteria that we come across on any given day…your recommendation for vitamin C and iodine, along with a healthy holistic lifestyle, sound like the better approach than buying into the CDC mass hysteria driving fear into the general public. Thank you for the work you and peers like you do. Keep up the good work. – Adrienne, a closet spirochete researcher and mom 😉
Thank you so much, Dr. B., for spreading the voice of truth and putting Real questions out there. it seems pretty obvious that it’s not the disease that is causing the microcephaly, but some probable combination of things – I know that giving vaccines while pregnant is Dangerous! Sounds to me like this whole thing has been set up to give Big Pharma a new money making venture – vaccines for Zika. I am fascinated that you are able to get the info that you have and am always interested in all the great stuff I can learn from you – things that are hard to get outside your blog! Thank you! Lisa
Of course they’re going to rush through a vaccine for the zika virus–why else would they try to scare us half to death over it? It’s all marketing!
Green med just published an interesting article on this very topic
What is the Zika Virus Epidemic Covering Up?
Friday, February 5th 2016 at 7:00 am
Written By:
Jagannath Chatterjee
he comments on the vaccines being forced on pregnant women as well as the very heavy use of GMO pesticides and foods in brazil………….and that zika is a cover story to hide either the gmo misquito issue or more likely the results of the crazy policies of vaccinating pregnant women with dangerous vaccines.
Yes..the vaccines may be hurting more than the mosquitoes, but microorganisms in mosquitoes may lower the immune system in addition. Affecting the DNA may hurt people. Vaccines while pregnant is not ok or Al. Yes it seems like depopulation ways. Scientists playing God are not doing well if they want to help the world be better.
Dear Dr Brownstein..I wasn’t sure of the rational for Vitamin C and Iodine. Iodine, in particular, had me wondering. Is the iodine to put in drinking water for sanitization purposes? Vitamin C is always a good idea but I would appreciate it if you would elaborate. Many thanks!
Dear Laurie,
Iodine has potent antiviral and antibacterial properties. I would be happy to take my chances with iodine and vitamin C, as well as eating well and keeping hydrated.
DrB