Zika Virus Dbq

A “virus” is defined as: “an infective agent that typically consists of a nucleic acid molecule in a protein coat, is too small to be seen by a light microscope, and is able to multiply only within the living cells of a host” (Document B). Originating from Uganda, the Zika virus was first discovered in 1947 in an infected money in the Zika forest, where its name originates. The Zika virus is a typical one-stranded RNA virus with nucleotide sequences relating it to other African and Asian virus strains. It is capable of infecting other species such as monkeys, elephants, lions, zebras, and rodents. Primates, like humans and monkeys, are known to be the primary hosts and reservoirs. What people should realize is that the international transmission of Zika from South America by mosquitoes and infected people has led to the maiming of newborn babies throughout the world, but you can help prevent this while protecting yourself from its harm. The primary sources of transmission of the virus is through the Aedes africanus mosquitoes and humans. A local transmission cycle is formed between humans and mosquitoes. When a human is infected by mosquitoes, other mosquitoes carry the virus when they bite the infected human. As stated in Document E, Zika is …show more content…
Originating in Brazil, the virus survives year-round in over half of the country while remaining seasonal throughout the rest of South America (Document A). International travel from South America to other countries has spread the virus to every continent with confirmed cases in 43 other countries (Document A, Document C). With the US alone taking in over 2 million travelers from Brazil over a year, Zika has been spreading like wildfire (Document A). On February 1st of 2016, the World Health Organization declared the Zika virus a Public Health Emergency of International Concern because of the threat that microcephaly