What is the Zika virus?
The Zika virus is an infection that is not usually harmful. It was first identified in monkeys, in the Zika forests of Uganda in 1947 (hence the name). The first cases of the Zika virus in humans were in 1952, with cases in Uganda and Tanzania. Since then, there have been outbreaks across Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific. The Zika virus is able to spread in countries where the climate is mosquito-friendly.
How does it spread?
The virus is spread through mosquito bites, particularly Aedes mosquitoes which are usually active in the day time (especially morning and late afternoon), unlike malaria-carrying mosquitoes that are usually out in the evening and at night.
What are the symptoms?
Most people infected by the virus do not present with any symptoms. However if they do occur, they are not usually very severe and last between two and seven days. Some symptoms include a fever, joint pain, itching, headaches and eye problems. There were outbreaks of the Zika virus in French Polynesia (2013) and Brazil (2015) and during these, questions were raised over potential neurological and auto-immune complications caused by the virus. In Brazil, local health authorities have seen a correlation between an increase in cases of the Zika virus and an increase in babies born with microcephaly. The relationship between the Zika virus and microcephaly is not yet understood but there is research underway to determine the link, as well as look as other potential causes of microcephaly. The global scare about the Zika virus has been focused on this possible correlation between the virus and microcephaly, with fears that thousands of unborn babies are at risk of having abnormal brain development.
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| A baby with microcephaly in Brazil |
Why are people being warned against getting pregnant?
As above, there is growing evidence to suggest that the Zika virus can cause babies to be born with microcephaly. Microcephaly means an abnormally small head and can be associated with abnormal brain development. Pregnant women, or those trying for a baby, are being advised to avoid areas where the Zika virus is prevalent in order to minimise the risk to their baby. The government of El Salvador has warned people not to get pregnant until 2018, with similar messages seen in Colombia, Jamaica and Ecuador. However these precautions are difficult to put into practice, as Latin America is predominantly Catholic and teaching on sex education for young people is limited. Abortion is also illegal and emergency contraceptives or contraceptives of any type are hard to come by.
How are women supposed to manage their fertility when their choices are so restricted? Are governments contradicting themselves by telling women not to get pregnant, but at the same time denying women access to abortions even in cases of rape or severe risks to health?
Rosa Hernandez, the El Salvador director of Catholics for Choice said
"How are we going to prevent pregnancies of these girls... [if] there are no emergency contraceptive pills available at health units after someone is raped?
Abortion would be the solution but [it] is fully penalised... Asking only women not to become pregnant is irresponsible when all these factors exist...
It is absurd; women have the right to decide what to do."
Women have the right to hold autonomy over their own bodies. Surely if the governments are serious about protecting expectant mothers and enabling women to be in charge of their own fertility they should also educate them about contraception and make it easier for people to access contraceptives. But maybe this isn't about empowering women, after all they just 'advised' women not to get pregnant for 2 years, which sounds like an attempt to control fertility and sexuality even further.
How is it treated?
There is currently no specific treatment or vaccine for the virus. Those infected by the virus usually recover with rest, plenty of fluids and medication for fever. The best prevention is protection from mosquito bites through the use of insect repellent, sleeping under mosquito nets and wearing suitable clothing. Containers that hold water are an ideal environment for mosquitoes to breed and so people are being advised to clean and cover these containers.
What is being done by development agencies?
The World Health Organisation raised the alarm over the Zika virus for four main reasons:
"- the possible association of infection with birth malformations and neurological syndromes
- the potential for further international spread given the wide geographical distribution of the mosquito vector
- the lack of population immunity in newly affected areas
- and the absence of vaccines, specific treatments and rapid diagnostic tests"
The WHO have been working on the ground in affected countries since the outbreak began in May 2015, investigating how the infection arises and is spread. They are also working on treatment options and the development of a vaccine. The WHO have also been working to track the spread of the virus and encourage people to protect themselves from contracting the Zika virus.
This is just a very brief overview of the Zika virus and why people are so concerned about it and its potential impact. I'm interested in the government advice to avoid getting pregnant for two years, I think I will read around and see what the feminist/health/development worlds think about it all!
In my research I found this from MSF: Five Epidemic Diseases to Watch in 2016
Sources: Al Jazeera, Independent, World Health Organisation, NHS, Mother Jones
