Community Health and Population-Focused Nursing Task 2

Running Head: C228 Task 2 Community Health and Population-Focused Nursing Task 2 Western Governor’s University This study source was downloaded by from CourseH on :14:02 GMT -06:00 C228 Task 2 The Zika virus causes a viral infection, transmitted mainly by mosquitos, that can be difficult to diagnose because most people infected have no signs or symptoms of the disease. Those who do experience effects of the virus typically present with mild and vague complaints which can include low-grade fever, rash, joint and or muscle pain, headache and conjunctivitis. It is extremely rare for Zika virus to cause death but it does have associated complications. Those infected can develop a neurological disorder, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and there are links to both miscarriage and a congenital brain defect, microcephaly, if Zika is contracted during pregnancy (“Zika virus disease,”2017). The Zika virus was first discovered in Uganda in 1947 and has since spread throughout the world with incidences of the disease documented in over 50 countries (Kindhauser, M.K., Allen, T., Frank, V., Santhana, R.S., & Dye, C., 2016). The most recent and ongoing outbreak of Zika infection began in Brazil in May of 2015 (“Zika virus infection – Brazil and Columbia,” 2015). A region is considered to be experiencing an outbreak of the Zika virus when it is documented that the virus is being spread by indigenous or autochthonous mosquitoes. Autochthonous transmission of the Zika virus was first discovered in the Americas in Chile from February to June of 2014 (Pan American Health Organization & World Health Organization, 2015). The virus resurfaced in the Americas in May of 2015, causing an outbreak which began in Brazil. Since the discovery of the Zika virus in Brazil many more countries and territories throughout the Americas have confirmed autochthonous transmission of the disease. The dates which Zika was detected in the involved areas are as follows. Prior to October 2015 only Brazil was affected. From October to December of 2015 Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Suriname and This study source was downloaded by from CourseH on :14:02 GMT -06:00 C228 Task 2 Venezuela became involved. From January to March of 2016 Aruba, Barbados, Bolivia, Caribbean Netherlands, Costa Rica, Cuba, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and the United Sates Virgin Islands became involved. From April to June of 2016 Anguilla, Argentina, Belize, Grenada, Peru, Saint Barthelemy and Saint Lucia were added to the list. From July to September of 2016 Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Turks and Caicos Islands and the United States of America became among the areas involved. From October to December of 2016 Montserrat was the only new area afflicted by the Zika virus (Pan American Health Organization, 2017). The current Zika virus outbreak has not spread into any new areas within the Americas in 2018, however, there aren’t many areas left untouched seeing as how Canada, Chile, Uruguay and Bermuda are the only areas not involved. As previously mentioned the Zika virus is mainly transmitted via mosquitos, but this is not the only way one can become infected. The Zika virus is also a sexually transmitted infection and can be passed from mother to baby during pregnancy (“Zika Virus,” 2018). The epidemiological determinant associated with the Zika virus outbreak is an increase in the mosquito population and therefore vectors. Scientists have been unable to definitively determine if the increase in climactic temperature and humidity directly leads to an increase in Zika infections or if these factors cause people to change their behaviors (i.e. wear less clothing and stay outside longer) (Gulich GA, 2016). Risk factors for contracting Zika virus include frequenting areas of known Zika infection, being bitten by mosquitos and having unprotected sex with an infected person (“Zika Virus,” 2018). There is not currently a vaccination for Zika,