Zika Virus Case Studies

Chance

There is a chance that Zika virus could become established in North American wildlife because of the rapid increase in the two invasive species of mosquito, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which are mainly accountable for the spread of zika virus in the Americas. However, Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly and other severe brain defects. Also, A pregnant woman can pass Zika to her fetus during pregnancy or around the time of birth. Additionally, a person with Zika can pass it to his or her sex partners. People who have traveled to or live in places with Zika should be encouraged to protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites and sexual transmission of Zika.

Precautions

To keep up with this outbreak, surveillance tracking, outbreak tracking and threat analysis will necessarily involve a combination of methods, both traditional and modern. Traditional methods include case reporting, vector sampling, reservoir animal sampling, and sentinel systems.

- Vector Control and Surveillance - Ensure ongoing communication between local vector control agencies, local health departments, and conduct ongoing local vector surveillance and control, especially in jurisdictions where Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes are present.

- Public Health Surveillance and Epidemiological Investigation - Ensure adequate and accurate diagnosis and reporting of Zika cases to monitor epidemiologic trends in distribution, transmission, and severity; to inform prevention and control efforts; and to identify cases or clusters that require follow-up or intervention.

- Laboratory Testing and Support Services - Ensure local health departments have the support needed for testing of suspect Zika cases.

- Eliminate the source – getting rid of water where mosquitoes breed or inoculation with natural soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis