The Zika Infection Pandemic That Occurred Across South America - 550 Words

The Zika Infection Pandemic That Occurred Across South America And The Caribbean (Essay Sample) Content: Zika Virus Infection Pandemic Name Professor Institution Course Date Zika Virus Infection Pandemic Zika Virus infection is the latest explosive pandemic occurring across South America and the Caribbean and is a potential threat to the USA. Zika Virus was first discovered from rhesus monkeys inhabiting Zika forest in Uganda in 1947, and is transmitted to humans by bites from infected Aedes genus mosquitoes. Therefore, the secondary outcomes of this arbovirus pandemic set it apart from other RNA viruses that are transmitted by arthropods, especially mosquitoes and ticks such as West Nile, Chikungunya, dengue, and yellow fever viruses (Gatherer Kohl, 2015). The symptoms of the infection include a headache, skin rash, fever, conjunctivitis, and muscle joint pain that may last for about seven days. Zika virus infection is causing an epidemic of birth defects, where children are born with small heads. The pandemic is posing several challenges due to imperfect diagnostic tests, lack of treatment, and unavailability of a vaccine (Dick, Kitchen Haddow, 1952). Furthermore, the virus is associated with microcephaly which is the condition responsible for birth defects and reported cases of microcephaly are exponentially rising in Brazil placing a heavy burden of uncertainty on pregnant women and their families (Sikka, 2016). The disease associated with the Zika Virus causes a global public health emergency that needs a unified response, and the United States public health is also at risk that requires a robust response. The World Heal Organization (WHO) alerts have placed Zika in the same category as Ebola with over 4000 reported cases in October alone in Brazil last year (Sikka, 2016).Therefore, the outbreak of Zika Virus infection is at pandemic levels, and WHO has responded by supporting nations control Zika virus disease through definition and prioritization of research into Zika virus disease, enhancing surveillance and potential complications, strengthening capacity in risk communication to assist nations to achieve their commitments defined in the International Health Regulations (Haddow et al., 2012). Other types of WHO response include supporting health authorities in implementing vector control, provision of training in clinical management, building the capacity of laboratories that detects th e virus, and preparing recommendations for clinical care, as well as follow-up of individuals with Zika virus (Haddow et al., 2012). The USA should be concerned about how to be prepared for the truly dangerous pandemic concerning the lessons learned from Ebola. However, the United States appears better prepared to prevent, respond rapidly, as well as reco...