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Zika Informative Speech Outline

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Matthew Wilson
Professor DeHay
CSS 1302-21
3 October 2016
Zika Virus Speech Outline
1) Introduction
a) Mosquitoes can harbor the Zika virus.
b) The Zika virus is a flavivirus that originated in tropical Africa.
c) Thesis – New information is available about the transmission, symptoms, and risks associated with the Zika virus from scientists and medical personnel who are working to reduce its spread worldwide.
2) Zika is a contagious virus that can be transmitted through both mosquito-to-person, and person-to-person interaction.
a) Mosquito to person interaction
i) Two-thirds of the world’s population lives in Aedes infested areas (Ibrahim, 2). ii) In urban and suburban regions, Zika is generally transmitted in a human-mosquito-human cycle. …show more content…

a) Symptoms are usually mild. In fact, only 20% of infected persons show any visible symptoms at all (Schmidt, 165).
b) Symptoms of the Zika virus include: fever, joint pain, headache, muscle pain, conjunctivitis (pink eye), and rashes (Phillips, 396).
4) A recent Zika outbreak in Brazil, revealed that more serious risks and complications can be associated with the Zika virus.
a) It was discovered that Zika virus can cause birth defects.
i) A study done in Brazil showed that as many as 30% of babies born to women who had been infected with Zika showed signs of microcephaly, that is, an abnormally small head (Baden et al, 1556) ii) Microcephaly limits the development of infants’ brain before birth, and is associated with seizures, learning disorders, developmental delays, and vision and hearing loss (Schmidt, …show more content…

5) Scientists recommend specific measures to avoid contracting the Zika virus.
a) For everyone, insect repellant with DEET and protective clothing is recommended.
b) The CDC now issues a level 2 travel alert warn people travelling to Zika infested regions (Schmidt, 163).
c) The use of insecticide spraying and larvicides has proven effective in preventing and controlling the outbreak of the virus (Baden et al, 1559).
6) Conclusion – Scientists and medical personnel around the world are continuing to learn about the transmission, symptoms, and risks of the Zika virus. Recently, Congress committed $1.1 billion to combat the spread and effects of the virus (Taylor, 1). Americans are hopeful that scientific advances can quickly zap the threat of Zika here at home. References
Baden, L. R., Petersen, L. R., Jamieson, D. J., Powers, A. M., & Honein, M. A. (2016). Zika virus. The New England Journal of Medicine, 374(16), 1552–1563.
Ibrahim, N. K. (2016). Zika virus: epidemiology, current phobia and preparedness for upcoming mass gatherings, with examples from World Olympics and pilgrimage. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 32(4),

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