South American economies have struggled for hundreds of years. Dependence on certain exports and weak governments have caused economies to debilitate. The Zika virus has escalated this problem. Many people who contract the disease do not know they have it because of mild symptoms, causing more fear among travelers and local people. As a result, the economy in the area has suffered. The economy can only be helped by aiding the tourism industry and increasing funding for the healthcare budget.
The first alternative is to aid the tourism industry. Tourism has a significant impact on many countries in South America affected by the Zika virus. It contributes millions of dollars to the economy and provides poverty stricken areas with valuable income …show more content…
Tourist income has decreased because of the threat of the disease (Lagasse). Since this announcement, many travel companies have reported seeing a decrease in bookings and an increase in cancellations (Margolis). This is especially true for cruise lines that venture to the Caribbean. Zika is an incurable mosquito-borne disease first found in Uganda during the mid-1900s ("Zika Virus: What You Should Know"). Although it started in Africa, Zika has quickly spread to other parts of the world. Zika has spread through tourism, which makes guests even more scared to travel. Most guests are young couples and couples that are on their honeymoon, which are most at risk ("Tourist Industry on Edge as Zika Virus Spreads”). The Zika virus will also have a remarkable impact on the Olympics scheduled to be in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in the summer of 2016. In addition to the cost of building the stadium, Brazil will have to deal with low audience and athlete attendance rates because of Zika. Athletes expected to perform in the Olympics have been given permission to not attend if they wish not to by the U.S. Olympic committee. Hope Solo, a …show more content…
Many South American countries have universal healthcare; this ensures health care and financial protection to all citizens of a particular country. Although countries like Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela have universal healthcare, many people in those countries do not have access to the facilities and resources they are promised. They live in remote locations and do not have cars or means of transportation. These areas also have less doctors than the urbanized areas, yet they are most affected (Yeo). This is problematic as there has been an increase in the number of Microcephaly cases reported which correlates to the growth of the Zika virus (Mansharamani). Microcephaly requires extensive rehabilitation and close monitoring which is not available to be many citizens. It is also problematic because people in mosquito-infected areas need to have constant check-ups to see if people have contracted Zika so that they may have immediate aid if they need it. Zika also has mild symptoms which lead people to believe they don't have the virus (“Zika Virus: What You Should Know"). In addition to medical help, these people need transportation to hospitals. If the infected do not receive aid, a whole generation could possibly be wiped out because of Microcephaly. In addition, countries with struggling economies like Brazil have caused the amount of
The first alternative is to aid the tourism industry. Tourism has a significant impact on many countries in South America affected by the Zika virus. It contributes millions of dollars to the economy and provides poverty stricken areas with valuable income …show more content…
Tourist income has decreased because of the threat of the disease (Lagasse). Since this announcement, many travel companies have reported seeing a decrease in bookings and an increase in cancellations (Margolis). This is especially true for cruise lines that venture to the Caribbean. Zika is an incurable mosquito-borne disease first found in Uganda during the mid-1900s ("Zika Virus: What You Should Know"). Although it started in Africa, Zika has quickly spread to other parts of the world. Zika has spread through tourism, which makes guests even more scared to travel. Most guests are young couples and couples that are on their honeymoon, which are most at risk ("Tourist Industry on Edge as Zika Virus Spreads”). The Zika virus will also have a remarkable impact on the Olympics scheduled to be in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in the summer of 2016. In addition to the cost of building the stadium, Brazil will have to deal with low audience and athlete attendance rates because of Zika. Athletes expected to perform in the Olympics have been given permission to not attend if they wish not to by the U.S. Olympic committee. Hope Solo, a …show more content…
Many South American countries have universal healthcare; this ensures health care and financial protection to all citizens of a particular country. Although countries like Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela have universal healthcare, many people in those countries do not have access to the facilities and resources they are promised. They live in remote locations and do not have cars or means of transportation. These areas also have less doctors than the urbanized areas, yet they are most affected (Yeo). This is problematic as there has been an increase in the number of Microcephaly cases reported which correlates to the growth of the Zika virus (Mansharamani). Microcephaly requires extensive rehabilitation and close monitoring which is not available to be many citizens. It is also problematic because people in mosquito-infected areas need to have constant check-ups to see if people have contracted Zika so that they may have immediate aid if they need it. Zika also has mild symptoms which lead people to believe they don't have the virus (“Zika Virus: What You Should Know"). In addition to medical help, these people need transportation to hospitals. If the infected do not receive aid, a whole generation could possibly be wiped out because of Microcephaly. In addition, countries with struggling economies like Brazil have caused the amount of