The Future of the Zika Virus

In 2015, the Zika virus outbreak in Brazil alarmed the global health proponents due to its dangerous consequences on developing fetuses in the mother’s womb. The virus, which is carried by a certain species of mosquitoes, is transmitted to humans via mosquito bites; [1] This means greater exposure during warmer seasons when the species is most active. Consequently, the relatively simple transmittance of the virus makes it a great threat as a pandemic disease. [1] The consequences of a pregnant woman being infected with the virus include an increased risk for microcephaly in the developing baby. Microcephaly is characterized by an abnormally small head due to an underdeveloped brain. [1] Despite the dangers, there is no approved treatment for the Zika virus yet.

Fortunately, there have been reports of a successful Zika virus vaccine that has been approved for broader testing on human volunteers. [2] Successful results could mean the implementation of a drug regimen in order to start treating infected people and to control the spread of the disease. However, there are still diseases like malaria and tuberculosis that burden the livelihoods of people all around the world. One of the biggest factors that impedes the eradication of such diseases is the lack of health care accessibility, including diagnostics and the drugs needed for treatment. As a result, these diseases continue to affect many people, yet they are constantly neglected and unprioritized. As we look forward to the summer, the Zika virus looms in the air and prepares to strike again. We wonder how many more people it will affect and how much of a burden it will become as it continues to spread throughout the more susceptible regions of the world. Without the resources for proper testing and the treatment of the virus, it can become as burdensome as many of the other neglected diseases.

Progress is finally being made in the fight against Zika. However, if we hope to prevent future outbreaks, it is important that the vaccine, if successful, be accessible to all those who need it. Its initial success does not guarantee eradication, and once the virus is out of our sight and news headlines, it will not mean that the fight is over. The Global Health Impact Project aims to break the walls that prevent us from seeing areas of the world where we are not physically present. There are thousands of studies being conducted around the world in order to calculate the impact of different drugs used for the treatment of certain diseases. The model on the GHI website explains how these drug impact scores are assigned. [3] For greater evaluation of pharmaceuticals and a better understanding of diseases around the world, the GHI Project is a step in the right direction towards improving global health.

References:

1. “Zika Outbreak: What you Need to Know.” BBC. August 31st, 2016. Accessed April 5th, 2017. http://www.bbc.com/news/health-35370848
2. Sun, Lena H,. “Zika Vaccine test moves to next stage with more than 2,000 volunteers in U.S., abroad.” The Washington Post, March 31st, 2017. Accessed April 5th, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2017/03/31/zika-vaccine-test-moves-to-next-stage-with-more-than-2000-volunteers-in-u-s-abroad/?utm_term=.65a39e21df4a
3. The Global Health Impact. “About the Index.” Last modified 2014. http://global-health-impact.org/aboutindex.php.