Epidemics are something that have affected the history of the population for thousands of years. Each is unique, yet some have similar characteristics. As time goes on, bacteria and viruses form with exposure to new substances. The Zika Virus is a new disease outbreak that has originated in mosquitoes. Due to its recent eruption, there is currently no vaccine to cure it. A lot of panic has been created by the media because Zika is new and it is rapidly spreading. It can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus, which can cause serious birth defects in the infant. Of the most dangerous, is a condition known as Microcephaly. Many researchers argue that the Zika virus is a serious threat, especially for pregnant women. Unfortunately, Zika is quickly traveling and infecting all parts of the world. It becomes difficult for scientists to create a vaccine at the rate that this disease is spreading. So, it is important that people become educated in this disease in order to properly prevent the spread. The Zika virus becomes increasingly devastating as it rapidly spreads across the world. While a lot individual’s lives will be affected by this epidemic, it is pregnant women and newborn infants who are in the most dangerous position, as scientists have claimed that the Zika virus is directly linked to Microcephaly in infants. 

The Zika virus was first discovered in Nigeria in 1954. At the time, the disease was not deemed dangerous, therefore the first panic from Zika was in 2015. Common symptoms of Zika Virus include mild fever, weakness, pain in muscles, and conjunctivitis. These symptoms last around a week, however, not all who have been exposed to this disease will show symptoms. Epidemics such as Zika cause “nearly one in five human deaths worldwide, as infectious diseases impose a heavy societal and economic burden on individuals, families, communities, and countries” (Lozano 3). It is important to recognize that Zika is not just affecting impoverished areas, but it can affect all people worldwide. Epidemics are a serious issue in today’s society, which is why it is so important that people fully understand the consequences of contracting this disease. Virus outbreaks spread quickly under the circumstance that, “these can be further characterized as newly emerging or reemerging infectious diseases, that are caused by pathogens infecting a new host species, or caused by pathogens that historically have infected the same host species, but continue to appear in new locations or in drug-resistant forms, or that reappear after apparent control or elimination” (Fauci and Morens, 2012). Epidemics can be hard to control, especially mosquito-borne viruses, which is why prevention is extremely important. 

As of now, Zika is not only an issue because of it’s direct impact, but it is also creating serious issues with it’s side effects. One of the most common and well known effects of Zika, is Microcephaly in infants. Microcephaly can be defined as abnormal smallness of the head, which is a congenital condition associated with incomplete brain development. This disease occurs when infants’ brains stop developing, causing the shape of their head to be unusually small and disfigured. Many inferences have been made directly associating the Zika virus to this condition. Microcephaly is a li, if an infant is exposed to Zika. Microcephaly is a serious condition that will have effects on the population. An increased number of microcephaly in infants is detrimental for future generations. While it may only seem like a small percentage of the entire population overall, infants with microcephaly can create issues in future generations to come. 

Infants diagnosed with microcephaly will not have a normally functioning brain, disabling them for the rest of their life. Zika is directly linked to Microcephaly in infants which causes serious, detrimental effects on a child, whether the onset of those effects is sudden or come about later in life. To explain further, those with microcephaly will have to deal with challenges and obstacles throughout the course of their lives that they would not have had to, had they not been exposed to Zika. Problems could include neuropsychomotor development stages, literacy and professional preparation. These are all issues that are going to make affected babies lives much more difficult in the future. 

It should also be noted that depending on the severity microcephaly, other issues may come about. These issues could include but are not limited to seizures, sensorial problems, cerebral palsy or other developmental abilities (Wilde 1). The claim is that Zika Virus is the cause of Microcephaly in infants. This has not been proven yet, but there is currently no other explanation that would lead the public to believe otherwise. An astonishing number of infants who have been in contact with Zika have developed Microcephaly, causing researchers to believe that there is a direct correlation between the two. Many studies have been performed to attempt to prove that Zika does cause Microcephaly. Being that there has been a noticeable spike in the amount of cases of this condition, it is not surprising to find out that Zika is associated Microcephaly. 

For the most part, Zika is not a threat to all- the main issue with this outbreak is the effect that it is having on pregnant women and their babies. If transmitted to an embryo, this disease can have a serious impact on a baby’s development and overall health. Because of this, it is important that people be made aware of this possibility, and it is necessary that health care providers take proper steps in helping fight off this disease. Zika was first detected in Brazil last year (since it first began in the 1950s), and since then, public health officials propose that women avoid pregnancy until the disease is under control. While the effects of Zika may not be drastic to the average person, Zika does have life-threatening effects on newborn babies. Due to this, there is a much higher fear factor in contracting this disease than other classified epidemics. Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H., director of the CDC states that,

“It is now clear that the virus causes microcephaly. We are also launching further studies to determine whether children who have microcephaly born to mothers infected by the Zika virus is the tip of the iceberg of what we could see in damaging effects on the brain and other developmental problems. We’ve now confirmed what mounting evidence has suggested, affirming our early guidance to pregnant women and their partners to take steps to avoid Zika infection and to health care professionals who are talking to patients every day. We are working to do everything possible to protect the American public.” 

Protection of pregnant women is vital, in order to keep from exposing her infant to this disease. If an infant is to come in contact with Zika, he/she could suffer serious consequences that they will have to deal with for the rest of their life. The CDC is “working to protect pregnant women, to support the state and local health departments that are that frontline of defense, to learn as much as we can about the mosquito that can spread the virus and about the virus itself—and to work with other countries to learn what we may be seeing later in the continental U.S.” It was even suggested by health professionals when the outbreak first occurred, that pregnant women should avoid traveling to countries that have confirmed cases of Zika Virus in order to prevent from contracting it. By doing this, they are becoming aware of the possible risks that Zika can impose, if it continues to spread the way it is before a vaccination is made.

A study was done by Dr. Anthony Costello, WHO's expert on maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health. Costello states that “2,100 babies in Brazil have had confirmed cases of microcephaly related to Zika” (Costello 1). This number is important because prior to the recent outbreak, the confirmed number of infants with Microcephaly was much lower. While Microcephaly can be caused by other factors, many cases have been made that support that Zika is the main cause, especially in Brazil. When the virus first began, it was only isolated to Brazil. However, the virus soon made its way to 19 different states. Approximately six months after the first outbreak in Brazil, the number of infants with microcephaly dramatically increased. Professor Vincent Racaniello writes, “an initial report of 35 Brazilian infants with Microcephaly born to women who either resided in or traveled to areas where Zika virus is circulating revealed that 74% of mothers had a rash (one sign of Zika virus infection) in the first of second trimester.” These studies become key in analyzing the detriments on the population of this world. 

A lot of individuals do not believe that Zika Virus is something to be concerned about. 

There are a lot of arguments circulating through the media that suggest that this epidemic is not actually a big deal, and that it is nothing to worry about. While the World Health Organization has recently claimed that Zika Virus is no longer a global emergency, it is still rapidly spreading. Many involved in the medical field have been thrown off by the fact that it is no longer considered an emergency, as thousands of individuals are still being affected by this virus. This virus technically no longer meets the requirements to be considered an emergency. While this may be the case, this is no reason to ignore Zika, as it is still severely impacting all parts of the world. 

What makes the Zika Virus so much like other historical outbreaks, such as the Avian Flu or the West Nile Virus, is that it is so easily spread through air travel because flying animals “have increased the variety of viruses to which humans are exposed, and flying animals are particularly adept at dispersing viruses to new locations and hosts” (Bean, 2013). Comparing analogous diseases is beneficial for researchers, as they not only try to find an effective vaccination for Zika, but it is also beneficial in helping to understand this outbreak. Regardless of the specific epidemic being spread, it is important to note that Zika, among all other epidemics, has a dramatic and oftentimes devastating impact on the overall health of human beings. Zika can and is affecting everyone, as it spreads all over the world. With this knowledge, doctors can figure out ways to slow and eventually stop the spread of Zika. In general, understanding the path of a disease is important because there are many other diseases much like Zika spreading very similarly. 

To stop the spread of this disease, the most preventative thing members of society can do, is to become educated on this disease. It is a good idea to implement a system into schools and work places that work to discuss Zika virus and it’s risks. This will be beneficial because everyone will know how to avoid this disease, making it much more difficult to spread. If everyone were to do this, Zika would not be considered such a threat. Unfortunately, funding to do this must come into play. This may be difficult, but it definitely is necessary if the spread of this disease is to be stopped. There is no proven treatment for the disease, so disease prevention becomes key. Because the most common mode of transmission is the bite of an infected mosquito, it is important to avoid areas with high concentrations of mosquitoes. In addition to being spread through mosquito bite, it is also possible to sexually transmit this disease. Originally, it was not common knowledge that Zika could be spread this way. However, the first case of this occurring happened in New York City. Because of how seemingly simple it is to spread this disease, serious precautions need to be taken. Everyone should have a basic understanding of this epidemic, in order to prevent it from further spreading. Many people do not understand the effects of Microcephaly, simply because they do not feel that it is something to be worried about, as it does not directly affect them. They feel that if they are not a pregnant female, then it is not something they should concern themselves with. However, if everyone has this attitude, then it is likely that Zika will continue to rapidly spread and there will be little to no way of stopping it.Education is such a simple concept. Had people been educated about other diseases in the past, rapid spreading of a lot of epidemics could have been prevented. 

To reiterate, Zika virus has become the most dangerous in pregnant women. The Zika virus is an epidemic that is affecting thousands of people’s lives. Based on the symptoms of this virus, it is clear that while everyone should be concerned for themselves, pregnant women and infants should be most protected. Zika Virus has been linked to Microcephaly which is a disease that not only harms individual babies, but it will potentially damage future generations. Often, it can be difficult to confirm that Microcephaly is caused by Zika, especially in impoverished areas. Tests to confirm this diagnosis are expensive, making it that much more hazardous for infants. Microcephaly is not curable, which means that this is something that infants will have to live with for the rest of their lives. 

It is clear that Zika virus imposes a serious threat on the population. This mosquito-borne illness has detrimental effects on the population. Like other virus outbreaks, it is rapidly spreading, at a much faster rate than can be controlled. Scientists and doctors are working hard to develop a vaccination for this disease, but unfortunately, the number of people infected is multiplying. Researchers are going about finding a cure to this disease similarly to other mosquito-borne viruses from the past. Zika virus may appear to be a regular illness, like the flu, but if it is to spread to pregnant women and their babies, it could create serious complications. If the infant is to develop Microcephaly from Zika, then they will suffer serious consequences in the future. It is imperative that all individuals in the population understand that. If there is a basic understanding of this implication, then it is likely that this disease will spread to much less infants than it is now. Education programs should be implemented, not just for Zika Virus, but other current and future epidemics that are affecting and will affect the population. The Zika Virus is seriously beginning to impact the society. While the hype and constant fear of it is slowly dying, it is still an issue that needs to be addressed and talked about. People should still be aware of this epidemic, as it is still spreading. It is important to protect pregnant women and their unborn babies if the serious devastations of Zika virus are to be stopped. As Zika Virus continues to spread to all parts of the world, scientists are looking for a way to seize the spread of this disease in order to keep infants from developing Microcephaly, a serious condition correlated with Zika.  
