Is the new virus, Zika, a pressing threat to America? The dangerous pandemic of the Zika infection contamination in South and Central America is the latest of four startling landings of vital arthropod-borne viral maladies in the Western Hemisphere in the course of recent years (Fauci). The primary concern is South and Central America’s inability to contain the Zika virus causes it to be an eminent threat spreading to North America. The rapid spread of this virus is a pressing threat to America because there is no complete cure for this disease, and it can be extremely easy to acquire. Within the past year, a rise in Zika cases has been seen in the United States alone. As of March 23, 2016 there were two hundred and seventy three
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Microcephaly is a neurological condition where a child’s head outline is essentially smaller than the normal size for babies the same age (Smith). If an infant’s mother is a victim of Zika, it can be transmitted to that infant through breastfeeding. If contracted, the baby could possibly experience dwarfism, facial distortion, mental retardation, hyperactivity, and seizures (Smith). Currently, there is no treatment for microcephaly therefore these birth defects are long term. Brazil has been a target area for the microcephaly condition and also the Zika virus. So far in the United States, eighty-two individuals have contracted Zika while traveling abroad indicated by the CDC (Cohen). Before traveling abroad, it is imperative to research the country to determine what diseases are prevalent so that precaution can be …show more content…
Aside from the reputation of the United States having the best healthcare, individuals from other countries seeking innovative cardiovascular, neurological or oncology treatments, travel to the United States medical facilities for treatment. This is primarily because doctors from their indigenous countries have trained, and are currently working in these U.S. medical facilities. Some of them have followed the lead of friends or family (Van Dusen 1). According to Van Dusen, Paul Mango co-author of the McKinsey report stated that, “Whether or not it’s empirically true, the U.S. brand of medicine is still perceived as being the most advanced health system for treating very complicated diseases and when life is at stake (1).” As a whole, the Zika virus should not be taken lightly and can be a large threat to North America. The disease has not gotten to its worst point just yet in North America like it has in other countries, but it is vital that the disease is contained while a cure is being found. It is important to take precaution when traveling abroad and interacting with others that has traveled abroad as
Microcephaly is a neurological condition where a child’s head outline is essentially smaller than the normal size for babies the same age (Smith). If an infant’s mother is a victim of Zika, it can be transmitted to that infant through breastfeeding. If contracted, the baby could possibly experience dwarfism, facial distortion, mental retardation, hyperactivity, and seizures (Smith). Currently, there is no treatment for microcephaly therefore these birth defects are long term. Brazil has been a target area for the microcephaly condition and also the Zika virus. So far in the United States, eighty-two individuals have contracted Zika while traveling abroad indicated by the CDC (Cohen). Before traveling abroad, it is imperative to research the country to determine what diseases are prevalent so that precaution can be …show more content…
Aside from the reputation of the United States having the best healthcare, individuals from other countries seeking innovative cardiovascular, neurological or oncology treatments, travel to the United States medical facilities for treatment. This is primarily because doctors from their indigenous countries have trained, and are currently working in these U.S. medical facilities. Some of them have followed the lead of friends or family (Van Dusen 1). According to Van Dusen, Paul Mango co-author of the McKinsey report stated that, “Whether or not it’s empirically true, the U.S. brand of medicine is still perceived as being the most advanced health system for treating very complicated diseases and when life is at stake (1).” As a whole, the Zika virus should not be taken lightly and can be a large threat to North America. The disease has not gotten to its worst point just yet in North America like it has in other countries, but it is vital that the disease is contained while a cure is being found. It is important to take precaution when traveling abroad and interacting with others that has traveled abroad as