Date of Award
5-12-2017
Degree Type
Capstone Project
Degree Name
Master of Public Health (MPH)
Department
Public Health
First Advisor
Dr. Gerardo Chowell-Puente
Second Advisor
Dr. Stephanie Dopson
Third Advisor
Dr. Scott Butler
Abstract
The Zika virus was first identified in 1948 but was relatively unknown until 2015, when Brazil began to report a significant increase in the numbers of babies with congenital defects. It is a virus that is primarily transmitted by mosquitos and primarily effects the nervous system. With its tropical climate and constant mosquito presence, Puerto Rico was the location of a massive outbreak during 2015-2016. However, the response to the outbreak faced several hurdles despite Brazil already reporting an increase in microcephaly. The purpose of this review is to examine the political and historical factors that hampered the initial response to the 2015 Zika outbreak in Puerto Rico and how they affected the perceived risk of the Zika virus. It is crucial that intensive health education campaigns and vaccine development continue in order to ensure that a second outbreak does not occur and result in a greater number of babies diagnosed with Congenital Zika Syndrome.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.57709/10114756
Recommended Citation
Riquelme, Laura, "A Historical and Political Review of the Response to the 2015-2016 Zika Outbreak in Puerto Rico." , Georgia State University, 2017.
doi: https://doi.org/10.57709/10114756