The Geographical Impact of The Zika and Cholera viruses in Haiti
Over the last five years, there has been a series of dangerous diseases that have struck the world. These diseases, namely Cholera, Ebola, and Zika, have caused several damage to many of the countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (The Journal of Policy Innovations, 2016). In late February of this year, a clear increase and acceleration in the number of cases of Zika has been reported by Haiti’s Ministry of Public Health. According to the International Catholic News Weekly newspaper, the amount of confirmed cases of the virus worsened from 96 to 329 in less than three weeks. The disease is said to have affected 770,000 people and killed more than 9,200 Haitians (International
…show more content…
Dianne Jean-Francois, a physician of the Catholic Medical Mission Board, stated on March 23, 2016 that there will be an increase of local disinfection efforts to reduce the mosquito population, but that preventing the spread of the disease will be very difficult since the number of people in poor living conditions and the degree of stagnant water everywhere is the ideal place for the mosquito to breed (The International Catholic News, 2016). As a result, the C.D.C. is currently issuing new guidelines suggesting that pregnant women should avoid contact with semen from men who have recently returned from Haiti. Men coming from Haiti should also consider using condoms. They are also advertising and promoting that Haiti along with two dozen other destinations, mostly in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America should be avoided (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016). The officials did not provide guidance on how long to do so. The publicity of such danger will eventually decrease economy, as there will be a drop in the level of tourism in Haiti and the other countries infected with the Zika virus because people will not want to visit due to their fear of getting the …show more content…
on Haiti Cholera Outbreak, the writer Rick Gladstone talks about the recent discovery of how the disease emerged in Haiti. It is now believed that it is U.N. peacekeepers that brought cholera to Haiti during their deployment from Nepal, where cholera is a constant threat. Although cholera is endemic in Nepal, the peacekeepers were not screened for the disease before their departure (Gladstone, 2016). Once in Haiti, they constructed a campsite with poor sanitation that allowed human waste to spill from open pits and cracked pipes into nearby waterways. Soon after, the first cases of cholera appeared, “leading to an epidemic that has cost over 9,000 lives and sickened more than 750,000 people” (Gladstone, 2016). Surprisingly, after the discovery and the outing of such neglect, the U.N did not admit to it. “They repeatedly denied any connection between its people and the epidemic, but the organization's culpability was soon confirmed by a range of scientific studies, expert findings, and even a report commissioned by the secretary-general. Though the U.N. is clearly responsible in fact for the epidemic, it has never been found responsible in law.” (Gladstone,
But, they also consult with other countries and may offer assistance to these other nations as well. Beyond just controlling the outbreak of infectious disease, the CDC is detecting emerging threats to public health, taking on major health issues causing death for Americans, utilizing research for disease prevention, and using public education to promote general welfare and health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a relatively young department that has grown entwined with American culture. In the modern age, the focus has turned to disease control, just as natural disasters. With today’s highly concentrated populations the control of infectious disease is paramount. Because of the CDC, the public is not only aware of the Zika virus situation, they may also be more
Compounding this lack of care, Haitians also lack clean drinking water and proper sanitation systems. Less than half the population has access to clean drinking water, a rate that is only surpassed by civil war-torn African nations. Even worse, half the population of Haiti can be categorized as “food insecure,” and this malnutrition has created a generation where half of all Haitian children are undersized (IFRC, 2010). In addition, this poor sanitation and hygiene, coupled with inadequate nutrition, have contributed to exceptionally high levels of individuals with chronic, yet often at best ill-treated, conditions.
Consequently, the spread of the Zika virus from its originating countries of Africa and Asia, to American countries has linked the virus as an ongoing epidemic. Due to climate changes, warmer winter temperatures, there is an increase of egg survival (Ali, 2017). Warmer spring, summer, and fall temperatures may also lengthen the season transmission of the virus in temperate regions as well. In addition, the spread of the flu- like virus in humans is is also due to natural disasters, such as, earthquakes and hurricanes destroying homes forcing residents to sleep outside exposing themselves to infected mosquitoes. International travelers are also at potential risk of contracting the virus, especially in industrialized countries. Furthermore, pregnant women or women of child bearing age should refrain from traveling to countries that are known for the Zika mosquito infestation.
Also known as the Zika virus, is now spreading into 2 species in many parts of Brazil. Researchers in Brazil have stated that out of 500 mosquitos, 450 mosquitos are contained with this insane virus we all call, “Zika Virus.” This disease is really shocking to the world since the Summer Olympic Games are happening and many countries, especially from the United States because most athletes are scared that they might bring home the virus and spread it in their nations or it's just painful to have it when you're in a country that is nowhere home.The reason why I picked this current events is that this virus has been going around for quite a while now and it's still amazing how a small mosquito can end up killing a person in many ways. It's also shocking when you hear an athlete who has a chance to win a gold medal for their country, but they are denying it because of their health issues and the future consequences that could happen. Remember that the Olympic is only every 4 years, so it has been a long time for them to train and not being able to go is a shame, but also its for their own health conditions, not what citizens want to see, a guy with a virus coming home. This “Zika Virus” has no end to it yet because there is no cure yet to be found and there has not been a human trail yet done to fix this
1. There are four key audiences that need to be communicated to about the actions of The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The first audience would be women who are pregnant or women who are thinking about becoming pregnant. This would be the most important key audience in my opinion since the Zika Virus greatly affects women who are pregnant and can cause negative impacts for their babies. Women who are thinking about becoming pregnant are also important because even though it currently doesn’t affect them or their baby it could in the future and they need to take precautions with where to travel and how to protect themselves. The second key audience would be couples or young adults of childbearing age planning to travel to affected areas. This audience needs to be
Dr. Farmer noted in the Mountains beyond Mountains book (2003) written by Tracey Kidder, that Haiti has increased rates of infant mortality, tuberculosis, malnutrition, HIV and AIDS. In an article published by Sophie Arie; titled What’s next for Haiti’s healthcare? (2011) notes that, “Haiti has the highest rates of infant, under-five and maternal mortality in the Western hemisphere. Diarrhea, respiratory infections, malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS are the leading causes of death” (Arie 2011, 340).
The United Nations has claimed some responsibility for bringing about the epidemic as cases of cholera started appearing near the camp of Nepalese UN peacekeepers, almost immediately after their arrival to aid in the aftermath of the earthquake (Piarroux). These reports have caused political and social upheaval as many protested the presence of the UN and the Nepalese in Haiti and demanded they pay reparations for the damage that has been caused (Cholera in Haiti). The UN has been reluctant to concede to these demands since it would open the door for other countries to sue the United Nations so Haiti was forced to fund disaster relief themselves, for the most part, which is devastating for a country of low socioeconomic
When people think of the word ‘epidemic’, they generally imagine a widespread disease that threatens humanity as a whole. While most of the hysteria associated with pandemics stem purely from fiction, it can be understandable why people always fear the worst. That is why when an outbreak of the Zika Virus was reported in the United States, an overall feeling of malaise set in. As of September 21, 2016, a total of 3,358 cases of the Zika Virus have been reported (“Center for Disease Control and Prevention”). Though the numbers are alarming, there is no need for a national quarantine or emergency evacuation. In reality, the Zika Virus is not as intimidating as society puts it out to be. The panic and confusion associated with
“This study marks a turning point in the Zika outbreak. It is now clear that the virus causes microcephaly”( Tom Frieden). Microcephaly is an abnormal smallness of the head, a congenital condition associated with incomplete brain development. With the Olympics being held in Brazil, there is much cause to attention the potential disease being brought back to the U.S. by female athletes bringing an epidemic to carry havoc on the citizens of the United States. It can be spread very easily through mosquito bites of the yellow fever mosquito. From the mosquitoes, the virus does not cause many symptoms to its victims generating unknown awareness of the virus. “ Only one in five people who become infected with Zika virus will feel sick. Symptoms of Zika virus infection include fever, rash, pink eye, pains in joints, pain behind the eyes, headache, and muscle pains”( Levison, Matthew). The symptoms, if any, last 4-7 days in most cases. The Zika Virus is an easily spread disease with few symptoms.
This article focuses on the outbreak of the Zika virus, which has recently begun spreading across the world with an emphasis on Latin American countries Brazil and Colombia. There are currently over 26,000 people who have been confirmed as infected with the virus in Colombia alone and this number is expected to rise dramatically to about 600,000 within the coming months considering the location and altitude of the countries and the frequency of their carrier mosquito. The virus has no vaccine yet; all prevention methods are focused on controlling the mosquitos spreading the disease by promoting proper sanitation regarding dirty water storage and accumulated trash. Among the people infected is 16-year-old Angie Paola Castro, one of 3,177 women
On January 12, 2010 on of the world’s deadliest earthquakes struck Haiti. In his book, Humanitarian Aftershocks in Haiti, Mark Schuller analyzes the presence of humanitarian aid agencies following the disaster. He discusses the impacts the aid had on the environment, development and globalization of Haiti.
The Zika virus has been spreading rapidly throughout Latin America in the past year, causing many health and religious controversies in these countries. The World Health Organization declared an international public health emergency and stated that at least 20 countries or territories have “registered transmission of the virus” (Partlow). Some of these governments, including Colombia and Jamaica, are urging women to avoid becoming pregnant for a few months because of the virus, whereas El Salvador asked its women to refrain until 2018 (Partlow). A majority of the regions hit by the Zika virus are Roman Catholic. This is causing controversies because even with the risks and effects of the virus, Catholic leaders are still discouraging women from using contraceptives or abortions (Goodstein). This rigid stance from the church may cause more division than progress.
When assessing what intervention activities would be the most help in addressing Haiti’s health problem many underlying factors were considered. For a full list refer to Table 1 included in the Appendix. However, the critical factors targeted in this intervention come down to four focus areas. These priorities are: 1) provision of safe water and sanitation infrastructure, 2) carry out health education among community members, 3) fill critical healthcare gap, and 4) improve and increase epidemiological surveillance
The cholera outbreak in Haiti in the late part of 2010 raised a lot of question within the community and abroad. As the country tried to recover from the horrible devastation of the earthquake. Speculation has arose among many human right organizations within Haiti and internationally that the United Nation (UN) have accidental or purposeful dumped waste in the population’s drinking water. In a short period of time, many were infected or have died from the cholera infection. The ethical dilemma comes from the vulnerability of the Haitian population failed infrastructure and the missed steps in protocol by the UN. While the core value of the UN missions, or any other peace keeping mission to say the least, is to “do not harm”, nonetheless harm
Timothe said that they would put out posters in hospitals and airports, that would come shortly because the health funding had been cut that year. The foreign aid was short to fight the zika virus. The zika virus caused babies to be born with severe birth defects, especially in the brain. The zika virus can also cause mouth defects. Also other brain abnormalities appear. The widespread fumigation has limited the virus’ spread in Caribbean nations like Cuba and Haiti last month. The campaigns have been invisible. Hospital workers went on strike for most of that year. Such a dangerous virus in Haiti could strain its fragile healthcare