once done write an 800 words essay on one of the news or recurrent infectious/communicable disease that has emerged in the last ten 10 years. Below you can find the link for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to mention a few. You can also choose any other reliable local, national or international organization. The essay must address the following points

QUESTION

Read chapter 25 of the class textbook and review the attached PowerPoint presentation; once done write an 800 words essay on one of the news or recurrent infectious/communicable disease that has emerged in the last ten 10 years. Below you can find the link for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to mention a few. You can also choose any other reliable local, national or international organization. The essay must address the following points

• Definition of Communicable and Infectious disease and the condition choose.
• The principles related to the occurrence and transmission of the identified communicable infection and/or infectious disease.
• Describe and discuss the three focus areas in Healthy People 2020 objectives that apply to the communicable and/or infectious disease chosen.
• Describe and discuss the epidemiological aspects of the chosen communicable and/or infectious disease.

(Points mentioned above are some of the points that must be included in the essay).

As stated in the syllabus present your assignment in an APA format word document, Arial 12 font attached to the forum in the discussion tab of the blackboard titled “Week 5 essay” and the SafeAssign exercise in the assignment tab of the blackboard. If you don’t post your assignment in any of the required forums you will not get the points. A minimum of 3 evidence-based references besides the class textbook no older than 5 years must be used. You must post two replies to any of your peers sustained with the proper references no older than 5 years as well and make sure the references are properly quoted in your assignment. A minimum of 800 words is required. Please make sure to follow the instructions as given and use either spell-check or Grammarly before you post your assignment.

Please check your assignment after the week is due because I either made comments or ask for clarification in some statements.

As you can see, I’m giving you an extra today days to present the assignment this due to the complexity of the assignment and must reflect what is happing worldwide.

ANSWER

Emerging Infectious Disease: Zika Virus

Introduction

In the past decade, several infectious diseases have emerged, posing significant threats to public health worldwide. One such disease is the Zika virus, which garnered global attention due to its rapid spread and potential adverse health effects. This essay will provide an overview of the Zika virus, its transmission and occurrence, its relationship with Healthy People 2020 objectives, and its epidemiological aspects.

Definition of Communicable and Infectious Disease and the Zika Virus

A communicable disease refers to an illness caused by infectious agents or their toxic products that can be transmitted directly or indirectly from one person to another. An infectious disease is a subset of communicable diseases, specifically caused by pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites. The Zika virus, discovered in the late 1940s, is an arbovirus primarily transmitted by infected Aedes mosquitoes, although it can also be sexually transmitted or transmitted vertically from mother to fetus.

Principles of Occurrence and Transmission

The Zika virus primarily occurs in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in areas with Aedes mosquito populations. It can be transmitted through mosquito bites, sexual contact, blood transfusions, and from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth. The virus can also spread through laboratory exposure and organ transplantation. The principles of transmission include the presence of competent vectors, close human-mosquito-human contact, and appropriate environmental conditions.

Describe and Discuss the Three Focus Areas in Healthy People 2020 Objectives

Maternal, Infant, and Child Health: This objective addresses the prevention of adverse pregnancy outcomes and the promotion of healthy development for infants and children. In the context of Zika, it emphasizes the prevention of congenital Zika syndrome and the support of affected families. This includes prenatal care, education about prevention methods, and access to necessary healthcare services.

Sexually Transmitted Infections: This objective aims to reduce the incidence and prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and improve the overall sexual health of the population. As sexual transmission is possible with Zika, this objective aligns with efforts to prevent and control the spread of the virus. This includes promoting safe sexual practices, increasing awareness about Zika transmission through sexual contact, and providing appropriate counseling and testing services.

 Vector-Borne Diseases: This objective focuses on reducing the transmission of vector-borne diseases through integrated vector management and community-based interventions. It emphasizes the need for surveillance, prevention, and control measures to combat diseases transmitted by vectors like mosquitoes. In the case of Zika, this includes mosquito control efforts, public education on mosquito bite prevention, and research on new strategies for vector control.

Describe and Discuss the Epidemiological Aspects of the Zika Virus:
Epidemiology plays a crucial role in understanding the patterns, distribution, and determinants of diseases. In the case of Zika, epidemiological aspects include the geographic distribution of the virus, incidence rates, risk factors, and clinical manifestations. The Zika virus outbreak in 2015-2016 particularly affected the Americas, with Brazil experiencing a significant number of cases. Key epidemiological features include the association between Zika infection during pregnancy and microcephaly in infants, as well as other neurological complications such as Guillain-Barré syndrome. Surveillance systems, research studies, and collaboration between health agencies have been vital in tracking and monitoring the spread of Zika and understanding its impact on public health.

Conclusion:
The emergence of the Zika virus as an infectious disease in the last decade has highlighted the need for effective surveillance, prevention, and control measures. Understanding the principles of occurrence and transmission, aligning with Healthy People 2020 objectives, and addressing the epidemiological aspects of the disease are crucial for mitigating

its impact on public health. Through collaborative efforts among local, national, and international organizations, we can work towards preventing and controlling infectious diseases like Zika, safeguarding the health and well-being of populations worldwide.

Note: This essay provides a comprehensive overview of the Zika virus and addresses all the questions outlined in the instructions. Remember to incorporate relevant statistics, research findings, and citations from reputable sources such as the CDC, NIH, WHO, or other reliable organizations to support the discussion.