The Zika virus epidemic in Venezuela may be worse than original sources reported , according to data obtained from social media network Twitter and search engine giant Google . The new data show that the number of people infected by this virus may be up to 150 times worse than figures published by the Venezuelan Government , which as we have previously estimated , has been attempting to downplay the scale of the epidemic by refusing to release updates or regular updates . This data blackout suggests an unwillingness to confront the outbreak that has spread to forty - four other countries , according to statistics from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , and may also hinder attempts to tackle the problem .
The Zika virus outbreak in Venezuela may be worse than original sources suggested, according to data obtained from social media network Twitter and search engine giant Google. The new data show that the number of people infected by this virus may be up to 150 times worse than figures released by the Venezuelan Government, which as we have previously warned, has been attempting to downplay the scale of the epidemic by refusing to release data or regular bulletins. This data blackout suggests an unwillingness to confront the outbreak that has spread to forty-four other countries, according to statistics from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and may also hinder attempts to tackle the problem.