One global health issue that I recently learned about because I would soon be travelling is that of the Zika Virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] (2018), Zika is spread mostly by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus). These mosquitoes bite during the day and night. Zika can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus. Infection during pregnancy can cause certain birth defects.

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Please write a paragraph with your opinion based on the text bellow. Please include citations and references in case you need to used for the question:

One global health issue that I recently learned about because I would soon be travelling is that of the Zika Virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] (2018),

• Zika is spread mostly by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus). These mosquitoes bite during the day and night.
• Zika can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus. Infection during pregnancy can cause certain birth defects.
• There is no vaccine or medicine for Zika.

In 2018, no local mosquito-borne Zika virus transmission has been reported in the continental United States. However, it continues to be a threat internationally. Where you live, your travel history, and the travel history of your sex partner can affect your chances of getting Zika. Zika virus primarily spreads when a mosquito infected with Zika bites you. Zika also can spread through sex with a man or woman who has Zika. Continents and countries with Zika risk are Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central America, North America (particularly Mexico), the Pacific Islands, and South America (CDC, 2016). Zika virus in the United States is much more than a mosquito-borne disease that may affect fetal development. It is the story of a disease that exposed problems and raised challenges that the affected health systems and governments cannot ignore (Castro, 2016). According to an article by Castro (2016), Brazil faced major barriers when caring for children with microcephaly, secondary to mothers being infected with Zika while pregnant. They were not prepared for the demands brought on by this disease. The health system in Brazil is faced an urgent demand: the provision of regular care for children born with microcephaly, who need to receive early stimulation and special family support, particularly in the first three years of life (Castro, 2016). This had a significant impact on Brazil’s healthcare system. Global health delivery systems already work together collaborating ideas through functions and seminars held by the United Nations. Due to its power it is able to act on issues affecting humanity such as health care emergencies (United Nations, n.d.). No one organization’s mechanism of action is the solution to all health care emergencies. Tackling these global health issues requires manpower and funding. Here in the United States we have government organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the World Health Organization assisting and taking upon responsibility to rapidly identify and promptly treat infectious diseases. Other countries have organizations such as National Public Health Institutes that work tirelessly to stop public health threats at their source. These Institutes enable these countries to respond promptly to decrease the impact on the public.

References

Castro, M.C. (2016). Zika Virus and Health Systems in Brazil: From Unknown to a Menace. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/23288604.2016.1179085

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016). Zika Travel Information. Retrieved from https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/zika-travel-information

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Zika Virus. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/zika/about/index.html

United Nations. (n.d.). Overview. Retrieved from http://www.un.org/en/sections/about-un/overview/