Zika Virus

This relatively unknown new virus has been sweeping areas of South Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands.  The virus is transferred through transmission by mosquito species Aedes, the illness is mild and usually common symptoms consist of fever, rash and joint pain.  Zika is not known for fatality's, but is known for causing a serious birth defect called microcephaly.(CDC.gov/Zika)  The Cultural impact has affected many people around the world due to the taboo of vaccinations to prevent the Zika virus.  These common misconceptions cause more damage because it creates more of a panic in the health care industry.  Many theory's have come about online trying to explain how the disease was created, and who's immune and many other far fetched ideas.  However because of this much valuable information has been lost along the communication process along with the notion that vaccines cause death, illness and autism.  Meanwhile heart disease is the leading cause for men and women every year and kills more than 370,000 people annually.(CDC.gov/heartdisease/datastatistics)  The prevention is simple and the biggest issue the healthcare providers face now is providing true and accurate information of the virus without getting held up on misconceptions and taboo theory's.  Health  organizations who are trying to explain the prevention techniques and educate the public are becoming counter productive due to the fact that false claims are becoming more concrete in the minds of the citizens.  The cultural impact continues to gain traction because of preconceived notions of which has no medical basis. This can be related to the example of vaccinations and the apparent side effects that are linked to autism meanwhile almost every medical establishment has came forth and declared that these vaccinations are safe and that the public should not be misled.

Throughout history when a subject is misunderstood people begin to make theory's to base their knowledge off of.  Many of these have little or no professional evidence to support them reverting back to history this occurred during the era of the black plague when the citizens of Europe began to blame the Jews accusing them of poisoning the well and trying to murder them.  The plague was later found out to be caused by bacteria from fleas on the rodent population.  I agree with the position that the best defense for now is to educate the public on the factual information that is know.  Causing mass hysteria and hype are no benefit for anyone nor does spreading false information that could have potential threatening consequences.  An example of hysteria that caused damage would be the infamous H1N1 swine flu breakout.  During the outbreak many people held up emergency at the expense rooms because they wanted to be screened for the flu at the expense of people with real illnesses.  A better position would be educate the public and discuss about potential preventatives from Malaria, which in 2015 there were an estimated 214 million cases and around 438000 death.(who.malariafactfiles)