Jamaica tackles the Zika virus to the sound of a reggae beat in a new government-released public service announcement that warns people how to avoid the mosquito-borne illness.
Michael Abrahams, an obstetrician and gynecologist, is the star of the video, rapping to a familiar reggae melody about the danger of the virus, how to protect pregnant women, and how to ward off mosquitos
carrying it, according to The Washington Post.
The PSA, called "We Nuh Want Zik V" and put out by the country's Ministry of Health, is also making its rounds on YouTube and other social media sites.
The Zika virus is spread to people primarily through infected
mosquitos, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes are the most common symptoms of the Zika virus, which has been linked to a birth defect called microcephaly.
There has been a spike in the rate of microcephaly, or babies being born with heads at least two standard deviations below the mean for age and sex, in
Brazil, specifically, The Daily Beast reported.
The condition usually results from abnormal brain development, and the long-term effects range from mild developmental delays to severe motor and intellectual
deficits, like cerebral palsy, the CDC noted.
The Zika virus has been found in South America in countries like Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Suriname, and Venezuela. It has also been documented in Central American countries like Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.
Jamaica is listed as one of the countries on the CDC's travel watch list. Officials are hoping that Abrahams' musical talents will encourage residents there to take precautions against the virus.
"If there were a Grammy for best insect-related PSA, 'We Nuh Want Zik V' would be a
sure thing," National Public Radio wrote.