“The Zika pandemic has reached the united states” millions have read across headlines in the US spreading panic and fear. Most of the fear comes from a lack of understanding of the Zika virus. The Zika virus is not a dangerous to most healthy adults and child causing only symptoms of joint pain, rash, low grade fever and red eyes, though most patients exhibit little to no symptoms. While the disease is not harmful to healthy adults and children it can have dangerous effects on pregnant women’s unborn child. Zika can cause the fetus to develop microcephaly which causes the baby’s head to be born abnormally small, decreased brain size causing causes cognitive deficiencies and vision disabilities. In the US the Zika pandemic has the greatest effect on US common wealth Puerto …show more content…
The Zika virus is spread primarily by the mosquito species Aedes. To decrease the spread of Zika through mosquitos is to implement a series of precautions. The first action is to destroy mosquito breeding grounds by using pesticides and drain any still water. Secondly impellent the use mosquito netting in homes and businesses. The third step is to encourage the use of bug spray, mainly those containing DEET. Additionally, when traveling outside of Puerto Rico to a non-infected area continue to wear repellent for two weeks to prevent the transmission of Zika to local mosquitos(“Prevention”). It has been found that Zika can also be spread through sexual transmitted. To prevent the sexual transmission of Zika it is recommended to abstain or wear condoms during sex for 8 weeks after potential exposure, even if symptoms are not exhibited (Oster 1). It is still unsure Zika can be sexually transmitted by females or if other body fluids beside blood and sperm (e.g. saliva) can carry the Zika virus (“Zika and Sexual Transmission”). If these steps are taken and meet Puerto Rico will be able to control and prevent many Zika
Zika virus was discovered by scientists in the Zika rainforest in a remote part of Uganda in 1947, in the serum of an infected rheseus monkey. With five thousand two hundred thirty- four known cases of the infectious virus documented in the United States. There is currently no vaccination for the flu like virus. The chief concern of the healthcare administration is to continue to take preventive measures to prevent contracting the virus. Within the same flavivirus family
As of now, there is no official vaccine for Zika. Instead, a patient that has the contagion must undergo certain treatments. Fortunately, the remedies for the virus are simple and cheap. If infection occurs, it is vital to get an abundance of rest and liquids; medication is also advised to assist in alleviating pain. The treatments for Zika are straightforward because the disease itself is rather mild. In fact, in most reported cases of the virus in the United States, the illness only lasted approximately two to seven days prior to the first set of symptoms (“World Health Organization”). It is evident that the fear associated with the Zika Virus is slightly exaggerated. Currently, there is only one recorded fatality in the United States that is directly related to Zika (“The Washington Post”). This is mainly because first world countries’ medical programs are advanced enough to effectively treat the virus. The standard of living in these countries are also higher compared to third world countries. That is why Zika has claimed a significant amount of lives worldwide; the poor conditions in these countries make it difficult for infected individuals to get proper
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
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
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
Marsha- As we know, the Zika virus can be passed from the mother to the fetus and can cause congenital microcephaly and other severe brain defects to the fetus. If you have a confirmed case of the Zika virus, does your department have a protocol in place for scanning these patients? Have you performed a case that there was a confirmed case of the Zika virus? If so, can you tell us what the physicians plan was for the patient and fetus?
The Zika virus has had a constant presence in the news for the past few months. This article describes Ana Gabriela do Prado Paschoal's struggles. She contracted the Zika virus while pregnant with her now three month old daughter Maria. Maria now suffers from brain lesions, stiff muscles, and brain damage. With the help of scans, imaging, and autopsies doctors learned that the Zika virus eats away at the fetal brain. It is responsible for shrinking or destroying the part of the brain that controls vision, thought process, and other basic functions.
The article “Study Finds Multiple Problems In Fetuses Exposed to Zika Virus”, author Rob Stein (2016) explains the complications that babies in the womb might face when exposed to the Zika virus. Zika’s recent outbreak has created global concern, especially due to the known correlation of microcephaly in newborn infants (Stein, 2016). Unfortunately, a recent study has shown that Zika might cause more than microcephaly in infants whose mother had the Zika virus. Stein includes the report by The New England Medical Journal that showed the results of Zika in pregnant women could lead to miscarriages, brain damage, growth issues, and other health complications (Stein, 2016). Zika is a global health issue that requires assistance, research, and intervention strategies.
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
The recent outbreak of the Zika virus in parts of Central and South America has triggered widespread fear in the U.S. fueled in part by concentrated media coverage and false knowledge of the disease. In a recent survey conducted by the Annenberg Public Policy Center (2006) found that roughly 50% of Americans were concerned that the virus would expand to include the area in which they live, 19% believed that it is likely that sitting near an infected individual increased the likelihood of catching it, 38% believed that the virus is deadly, and 35% believed a conspiracy theory claiming that that genetically modified mosquitos have directly caused the virus to spread. Despite the popularity of these beliefs, they are all false according to the U. S. Center for Disease control and prevention (CDC, 2016b).
The purpose of Lupton’s article is to collaboratively working with global health organizations to stop the spread of Zika virus by educating residents living in affected areas about the risk and complications of the virus and how to prevent women of reproductive age from getting infected. The author addresses that there are over 35 countries around the world, including Brazil, have been affected with Zika virus. The spreading of the virus has caused great concerns to un-infected neighbor countries about the increasing risk of the congenital abnormalities. One of the most important of the author’s point of views is that health care providers should educate their patients and/or people in the community with knowledge about potential dangerous
CDC has updated its interim guidelines for US healthcare providers caring for pregnant women and women of reproductive age during ongoing transmission of Zika virus. These guidelines apply to healthcare providers caring for women of reproductive age in the United States including US territories and will be updated as more information becomes available.
In the article, “Local Transmission of Zika Virus is reported in Texas”, it stated that on November 28th, 2016 health officials announced Zika has been reported in Texas. In the United States, the virus has only been in Florida. In Florida, it was believed to be carried by mosquitoes from person to person. But this case in Texas is carried by a women. Medical Investigators are trying to found out if the infection is spreading.
There is no denying that the Zika Virus epidemic is more a threat to women than it is to men. While it has yet to be proven, there are already studies pointing to a possible link between the recent Zika outbreak and the increase of babies born with birth defects. Because of the concerns over the safety of women in the midst of the pandemic, the UN has since commented about the issue. According to the global governing agency, it is imperative that women are given access to information, support and treatment should they become pregnant and infected by the disease.
As a society, we need to focused on the care of the Zika Virus populations. World Health organizations have focused on containing and eliminating the Zika virus. However, there is still an urgent need for the children born with microcephaly because of the Zika Virus. Resources will need to be put in place to ensure the rights of the children with microcephaly. Children with complex needs will need to have access to early intervention and ongoing support. will be crucial. Loing term support service will be vail.