Project Description
The prevalence of the Zika virus is increasing drastically in the United States. The CDC (2016) informs that there is currently a total of 32,725 people affected by this virus, with 98.74% locally acquired mosquitos-born cases and 1.24% travel-associated cases. The CDC also informs that the Zika virus is growing worldwide. Countries need to be prepared and strengthen detection and prevention, as well as care and support for people with this disease. This rapid growth of Zika virus has yet to be met with a large scientific response. It presents many urgent and challenging scientific questions. In an effort to raise awareness in the communities and help prevent the extension of locally acquired mosquitoes-born cases all over the U.S, we decided to elaborate a project that would be focused on prevention and education of the Zika virus, in affected and non-affected communities in the U.S.
The primary purpose of this project is to educate families and the community about the potentially dangerous impact of the Zika Virus. In fact, it is important to raise awareness of the Zika virus as a public health threat to pregnant women, their fetuses, and others in the United States. Working at the community level would help the communities to work together against the health determinants that impact the prevalence of Zika virus in the community. To reach our goal, we envisaged establishing a partnership with communities’ leaders, who are able to impact their community
Community health nurses face a multitude of challenges as they strive to improve health outcomes in the community and monitor and manage diseases. Valued for their adaptability, ability, and willingness to provide care in many settings, including schools, homeless shelters, and community health clinics, community health nurses provide comprehensive care to their clients wherever the client is located. Perhaps one of the more complex and challenging areas for a community health nurse is that of infectious diseases. With the advent of the Zika virus into the United States, community health nurses must be up to date on the latest studies and recommendations from the Centers for Diseases Control (CDC). Since much of the recent information released centers on the Zika virus and pregnant women, it is imperative community nurses know not only what the virus is, but how it is transmitted, assessment findings, and educating the community on ways to prevent the virus.
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.
Many pregnant women have been taking advantage of Florida’s offer of free Zika testing. The con with the free testing is that state laboratories have been unable to keep pace with the amount of women using this benefit. This has resulted in hold ups for women anxious to know whether the virus has passed to their fetuses. The reason for so many women concerns is “babies infected
This BBC News article discusses the spreading Zika virus in Spain. Sources in Spain have broken the news that the first diagnosed case of a pregnant woman contracting the virus had occurred in the country of Spain. The article discusses how this case, as well as most other cases currently diagnosed in Spain, had been contracted outside of the country in regions where the virus is rampant. The article also talks about the widespread fear that the Zika virus is the cause of some birth defects, specifically underdeveloped brains in infants.
I created an exciting fast-paced informative video about the Zika virus to support the community. This video helps to understand how the virus started to spread and its consequences, it also provides some tips on how to prevent and prepare for its’ dangerous attack in South Florida.
The growing concern of the Zika outbreak that originated back in 1947 Uganda in monkeys and later crossed over to humans in 1952 has now reached several countries. These outbreaks are occurring in Brazil and reportedly more than 7,000 people have been infected from mosquito bites. On February 1, 2016 the World Health Organization declared the Zika a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. To combat the issue Louisville activated the “Zika Response Action Plan, which provides guidelines for preparation and response to the virus in the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW) jurisdiction” (ZIKA Response plan, 2016). The plan being used by Louisville demonstrates the prevention and mitigation being executed
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
The Zika Virus outbreak currently developing in Latin America is a challenge that the US must worry about. With Latin America being right next door to the United States, the Zika Virus must be contained within Latin America but Latin America should be offered some relief in treating and preventing the disease. More specifically, the US should emplace traveling restrictions for heavily infected countries and regulate health exams for people traveling to South America. The US should also enforce tighter mosquito season requirements like monitoring mosquito populations and require spraying in areas with suspected cases. In terms of international relations, the US, in collaboration with other world powers, should adopt policies to help stop the spread of viral diseases like Ebola and other diseases like Zika by working with
Many scientists all around have heard of a virus before, but not as infectious as the zika virus. This virus can ruin a little infant. But one truism statement about this virus, which freaks out scientists, is that it is carried by mosquitos. Terrible isn't it? If I were you, I would think to myself what will make this virus restrain itself? Well in order to stop it the best solution is to splat the mosquitos; because well let's face it, mom's little children that have been born wouldn't want to have a small head and a big body. Lots of people came back with this virus but the devastated citizens didn't notice this virus coming to
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
Stein also reports that microcephaly in infants due to the Zika virus is rare, but the risk has been increased in Brazil, due to the endemic status of the infection (Stein, 2016). This article mainly focuses on pregnant women and their children,
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
How is the Zika virus affecting pregnant women in the United States? A report published Tuesday by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, provided evidence of the risk of birth defects increasing when women are infected in the first trimester. The hypothesis of the report indicated that one in 10 pregnant women with Zika virus in U.S. have babies with birth defects and that there was at least one pregnant woman with a suspected Zika virus infection in every state of the United States. The USZPR includes data of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. This study was in response to the recent outbreak of Zika virus cases worldwide and the concerns of birth defects linked to this virus. Babies infected with the Zika virus are born with small heads, known as microcephaly, a
The recent spread of the fatal Zika virus throughout Central and South America has left the world in shock. The entrance the virus into Miami has enhanced the scare even more. Now that it has become a realistic problem to the United States, the thought of personal safety comes to mind. There is a global panic erupting and it is obvious that this disease needs to be stopped. This mosquito-transmitted infection can be passed onto a human with as little as one bite, and because it is a virus, there is no absolute cure for it. Seeing these facts, the only thing that can be done is preventing it from moving any further. Zika has proven that it is a threat around the world, so to ensure that the country stays safe and this epidemic is contained,
When watching a science fiction movie on the big screen about the end of the world being brought on to humanity via disease or virus, it is easy to take it lightly and brush it off as another Hollywood concoction. There is some truth and seriousness attached to the fabricated plots that are served to us though these movies. Recently there has been news of contagious breakouts such as Ebola and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) that affect the populations in hospitals and particular locations of the world. There is an international concern in the Zika virus by the recent outbreak at different countries. Regardless of their place of origin they travel quickly and respect no boundaries or regions. These scenarios if not handled properly can quickly compromise the health of the general population and result in the death of otherwise healthy individuals. A major problem we are all facing is the misinformation and lack of education when pertaining to matters of newly emerging viruses and diseases. People need to show more interest in being informed about newly emerging viruses and diseases that can not only cause harm but death. In this paper, I plan to discuss the complex issues involved in the emergence of the Zika virus and will aim to provide information about how it is diagnosed and what the treatment options are for those exposed. My hope is that the lessons learned from distinct countries who are currently experiencing the outbreak can provide valuable