Kochik 1

Jess Kochik
Mr. Fronk
Honors World Geography
April 24, 2016
Zika Virus
Section 1: The Zika virus has been making in appearances all over the news within the
last few months. This particular virus is spread by mosquitos, and in South America, the virus is
becoming an epidemic. Nearby countries, including parts of the United States, are bracing for the
viruss arrival.
The virus was prominent in the 1940s and 1950s in South America, but it was eradicated
by the Brazilian government. There were under 50 cases of the Zika Virus during its almost
dormant stage between the time they thought it was eradicated until its dramatic reappearance
within the last few months. There have also been cases of this Virus in the Pacific Islands, Asia,
and Africa, but there is not a positive way of knowing where it originated from (Prengaman and
Savarese, n.p.).
Now that it has reappeared, it is becoming a large concern because of the severe birth
defects that it causes, especially microcephaly. Microcephaly is a condition that inhabits proper
brain growth, and leads to complications for the rest of a persons life. There are other diseases
that are linked to Microcephaly, including one that causes blindness in infants. There have been
three deaths in Brazil that involved the Zika Virus, however, the people died because of other
complications, not because of the virus alone. 80% of people do not have symptoms of the

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disease once they contract it. Those people that do have symptoms suffer from a rash, fever, and
muscle and joint pain. These symptoms typically last between 2-7 days. Having a fever can
lower ones immune system, so a person does become more susceptible to getting a worse
illness. The Zika Virus is not as scary as other mosquito-borne illnesses such as Malaria because
as far as researches can tell, Zika alone will not kill (Zika Virus Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, n.p.).
The CDC, along with other health organizations including WHO and PAHO, are warning
countries where the disease may potentially inhabit this summer. The CDC has reason to believe
that certain cluster areas in the U.S., the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico will be impacted by the
Zika Virus. However, since it takes very specific conditions, and since only one breed of
mosquito carries the illness, they are not as concerned about it. There are currently about 400
cases of the Zika Virus in the United States. These, however, were due to traveling. There has yet
to be a case directly related to someone who got the illness from a mosquito in the States. In
2007, the Pacific Islands had its first case of the virus. As of right now, there is no vaccine or
treatment for the Zika Virus or for the more severe effects on the babies that are born with
microcephaly (Zika Virus Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.p.).
Mosquito larvae can only survive in stagnant water in warm, humid conditions. In
tropical conditions, these mosquitos will be able to thrive. That is mainly why in the United
States, with summer months approaching, the disease is becoming more of a concern especially
for areas like Florida that have hot, humid conditions.
Section 2: This summer, Brazil intends on hosting the 2016 Summer Olympics. Brazil is
the primary place where the Zika Virus is thriving. It poses potential threats for the athletes

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coming, as well as all attendees. Some women are apprehensive about going because of the
horrendous affect the virus can have on their children if they were to get pregnant.
The Brazilian government is in crisis because in order to completely get rid of the Zika
Virus, they will need to start with eliminating the mosquitos. This requires getting rid of the
mosquitos breeding grounds. However, it would nearly impossible to do that. Because of
Brazils poverty, there are many slums that have perfect conditions for mosquito breeding.
Brazils government is trying its best to ensure that people are protected from mosquitos
(Frieden, n.p).
WHO suggests using bug spray to prevent mosquito bites, but obviously, that does not
completely protect someone from the mosquitos. Authorities are also suggesting long-sleeved
clothing. People who are travelling to these infected areas are being warned of possibly receiving
this disease. Also, there are limited resources, and once Brazils poverty levels are factored in,
its hard to think that that everyone will be completely safe from this virus (Zika Virus World
Health Organization, n.p.).
Section 3: Brazil has been preparing for the Olympics to be held there for years. I think it
would be almost unfair, and unreasonable to cancel them or take other extreme measures. If this
disease becomes enough of an epidemic, or if more severe effects are found, then I think it would
be plausible to put more limitations on the Olympics and stress the risks involved to female
participants and attendees. It definitely does pose a threat having the Olympics at the center
concentration point of the Zika Viruss spread. I think the best thing for Brazil to do is to
continue the measures they are taking, and to promote worldwide help.

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It doesnt seem like the world is in as much panic as they could be, which may or may
not be a good thing. There is no possible way that the Zika virus could become a worldwide
phenomenon based on the information that scientists know now. In places such as southern states
in the United States where the conditions are similar to the tropical conditions where the Zika
Virus is most prominent, there is concern for local transmission. The World Health Organization
and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are able to track the disease fairly well,
which allows areas and countries to remain at ease knowing that they will not be affected. It
seems that there is no real reason for them to be panicking over something that will not disturb
them. However, in the main places this disease is affecting, the outcomes on newborns should be
reason enough to want to contribute to research. I think the rest of the world is not helping out
because it will not involve them any time soon. Hopefully with enough media, and information
being spread, other countries will want to help by sending money, or supplies or contributing to
more research to find a vaccine.

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Work Cited
Frieden, Tom. "CDC Director: What We're Doing about the Zika Virus." CNN. Cable News
Network, n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2016.
Peter Prengaman and Mauricio Savarese, Associated Press. "Eradication of Zika-Spreading
Mosquito in Brazil Unlikely." ABC News. ABC News Network, n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2016.
"Zika Virus." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, 22 Feb. 2016. Web. 23 Apr. 2016.
"Zika Virus." World Health Organization. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2016.