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The more researchers learn about the Zika virus, the scarier it becomes. In a new report published in the New England Journal of Medicine, CDC researchers confirm that Zika causes a rare birth defect.

CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden said that “it is now clear” that Zika causes microcephaly, a rare birth defect. In addition, the virus causes several other severe fetal abnormalities. The virus is now being linked to a broad set of complications in pregnancy as well, such as premature birth and eye problems.

“Most of what we’ve learned is not reassuring,” Dr. Ann Schuchat, the principal deputy director of the CDC, said candidly at a White House briefing. “Everything we look at with this virus seems to be a bit scarier than we initially thought.”

Another study published in Science from a team of scientists in Brazil concluded that Zika “targets” human brain cells. After studying human neural stem cells that had been infected with the virus, the scientists found that the cells were misshapen and necrotic.

However, the general public in the United States seems largely unconcerned about Zika virus infection in the continental US, according to The New York Times. However, the CDC has reported that the mosquitoes that carry the virus are present in 30 states, up from the 12 states initially thought. In Puerto Rico there are already hundreds of local transmissions of the virus and Dr. Schuchat said there are potentially hundreds of affected babies in the US territory.

While the CDC does not expect large outbreaks of the Zika virus in the continental US, there will be some local transmissions, and the virus is now expected to be a problem during much of a pregnancy, not just the first trimester. As a result, pregnant women or women expecting to become pregnant are being warned against travel to Zika-infected countries. At the very least they should take precautions against mosquito bites.

A major component of Zika eradication is to produce gamma-irradiated sterile mosquitoes. Within the next fews months IAEA will send a gamma cell irradiator to Brazil’s Moscamed research center in Juazeiro. The irradiator will allow the research center to produce up to 12 million sterilized male mosquitoes per week. The mosquitos will be released in 15 areas that have been hit hard by Zika and will reach up to 750,000 people.

The process begins with using gamma rays to sterilize male mosquito pupae. The mosquitos are then raised in huge numbers and released into the wild where they compete with wild male mosquitos. If enough sterile males mate with females, the chance of producing offspring is significantly lowered, causing a crash in the mosquito population that is spreading the Zika virus.

Throughout the years, this same technique has been used in reducing other problem insects. When populations of moths and fruit flies in the US have been extremely problematic, this technique has brought their populations under control. This method also reduced the problematic and disease spreading tsetse fly problem on the island nation of Zanzibar.

Scientists are hoping this technique will help decrease the mosquito population, especially since results with mosquitoes previously have been not as successful. Gamma-irradiated male mosquitoes don’t seem to be as successful at mating with females as their wild counterparts. In the meantime, scientists are looking for alternative methods to sterilize males which includes using X-rays. The enormous amount of insects needed to keep populations in check is also staggering. A facility in Guatemala has to produce more than 2 billion sterile Medfly fruit flies per week in order to keep populations down in areas of Guatemala and California.

The IAEA admits the gamma method for reducing mosquito populations is still in its pilot stages, and long term results from Italy, Indonesia, and China have been encouraging. The next steps for Zika control is disease reduction as well as more research that verifies survival as well as early detection equipment. The IAEA is currently delivering virus detection equipment to Latin American and Caribbean countries with equipment training to be available in late March.

Getting tested for colon cancer could prevent the disease and save someone’s life. However, colon cancer remains the third leading cause of cancer death among men and women. As a result, March has been designated National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

Individuals age 50 years and older should discuss colon cancer screening with their doctor. Unfortunately, many adults have never been screened and less than two-thirds are up to date. The importance of screening is that it can catch colon cancer before the symptoms develop. At this stage, the disease is easier to treat and survival rates are favorable.

The American Cancer Society has set a goal of increasing colon cancer screening rates to 80% by 2018. According to the Society, half of all colon cancer deaths could be prevented through regular testing.

There are a number of screening options, and which option is right for you depends on your risk. For instance, people with a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, or people who have a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease should get a colonoscopy.

Although screening is only recommended for people age 50 years and older, which is when the majority of colorectal cancers are found in people, individuals with a family history of certain cancers or medical conditions may need to begin colonoscopy earlier and should discuss with their physician.

There are risk factors that the patient cannot control, such as age, personal or family history, and genetic conditions. Other risks can be controlled. The following factors are all linked to higher incidences of colorectal cancer and can be changed by the individual.

• Lifestyle: low physical activity, obesity, smoking, and heavy alcohol use
• Diet: a diet high in beef, pork, and lamb, processed meats, and fats

In addition, there are some additional strategies that may be linked to a lower incidence of colorectal cancer, such as eating more foods with dietary fiber, including garlic in your diet, drinking more milk, and eating more foods with calcium.