ZIKA VIRUS: MOSQUITOES ARE THE CULPRIT - 1 CONTACT HOUR

Course overview

Zika virus has recently been declared a public health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO). Prior to May 2015, the virus was largely restricted to Africa and Asia, but in May, 2016 an outbreak occurred in Brazil. Since that time, the virus has “spread explosively” across the Americas and has been identified in at least 29 countries and has infected nearly 4 million people across the continents. While the WHO and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are trying to get ahead of the problem, it is critical that health care providers stay current with as much factual information as possible. The Zika virus is quickly becoming an international public health emergency. This course is intended to provide an overview of the virus, public health concerns, patient care consequences, and prevention strategies. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 1. Relate the incidence of Zika virus to the countries where the disease has been identified. 2. Describe two methods Zika virus may be spread beside direct mosquito bite. 3. Describe how Zika virus is diagnosed. 4. List the presenting complaints of an individual infected with Zika virus. 5. Explain the significance of pregnancy complications from the Zika virus. 6. Describe at lease three strategies that may be used to prevent the Zika virus.