Overtime, infectious diseases have been responsible for massive outbreaks of diseases resulting in numerous deaths. In the contemporary world, infectious diseases are still responsible for numerous documented deaths while simultaneously increasing the global burden of disease. Among the numerous infectious diseases with a high disease burden is the recently rediscovered Zika virus. This manuscript thus offers a succinct analysis of the presented infectious disease. Inferences are drawn from a recently published article which the contextual issue. Among the issues appraised in this manuscript are the correlation between the disease’s causal agents, the susceptible individuals and the relevant environmental factors at play. Furthermore, the role of a BSN nurse in addressing the Zika virus outbreak is appraised as well as plausible health intervention strategies that are effectual in mitigating the disease’s outbreak. The purpose of this paper is to present the outlined aspects of the infectious disease succinctly while inferring from the published article.
Summary of the article
MacFadden & Bogoch (2016) offer an analysis of the ZIKV while documenting its epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis and plausible treatment and prevention measures. Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emergent infectious disease caused by the arbovirus belonging to the Flaviviridae family. The ZIKV virus is primarily transmitted through an infected mosquito bite of the Aedes species (A. aegypti and A. albopictus) (MacFadden & Bogoch, 2016). According to the published article, mosquitoes spreading the virus bite infected people during a blood meal and spreads the virus to other uninfected people. As MacFadden & Bogoch (2016) document, persons travelling to endemic areas are at an increased risk of contracting the disease. Among the disease prone areas are South America, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. For individuals with plans of travelling to these areas, staying up to date with the with the disease’s geographical spread is vital. Various factors contribute to the spread of the virus. Among these factors are sexual intercourse since the virus stays in the semen longer than in the blood (Leung, et al, 2015). The virus is also transmittable via blood transfusion. Infected mothers near their delivery times can also pass the virus to an infant as well as passing the virus during delivery to an infant (Staples, 2016).
The disease is largely asymptomatic to most people according to MacFadden & Bogoch, (2016). However, documented and anecdotal evidence documents episodes of fever, muscle pain, maculopapular rash, neurological conditions, conjuvitis and microcephaly (babies with small heads). Adverse effects of the virus are documented including deformed fetuses, nonexistent or poorly formed brain structures, eye conditions, hearing loss in infants and impeded growth. In as much as pharmacological interventions are non-existent, the author documents the efficacy of acetaminophen in relieving the Zika virus fever and the resultant pain from the infection.
Epidemiology is regarded as an essential scientific underpinning of global and public health practice. In order to maintain public and global health, epidemiology is required in the timely detection of disease outcomes, their investigation, control and the prevention of potential outbreaks in order to control the spread of diseases.
Role of the BSN nurse in addressing the outbreak
In as much as vaccine development for ZIKV is still at its infancy, BSN nurses have a significant role to play in preventing the spread of the virus. Health education is a primary way of addressing the disease outbreak. Persons in endemic areas especially South America and Asia in this regard are educated on the effectual mosquito breeding prevention strategies. Education of the public may be done through Nursing or Medicine Schools, as well as via global health programs. Among these strategies are the use of effectual insect repellants such as pyrethrins, wearing of long sleeved pants and shirts to prevent mosquito bites, using screens to prevent mosquitos from entering buildings, using mosquito nets and clearing of breeding sites. A BSN nurse should also provide necessary health education to male patients on how to avoid the spread of the disease through coitus. In this regard, using protection such as effectual condom use or avoiding sex is effective.
BSN nurses are equally presented with a unique opportunity to promote birth control for women in disease prone areas. Although this may not be a primary prevention method, it will ensure children are kept from getting the disease. Nurses in this regard can plan for the dissemination and implantation of this strategy on a large scale with the support of stakeholders such as the government and local communities.
Finally, BSN nurses can train local or community health workers on effective prevention methods of the spread of mosquitos and information concerning the dangers of the virus. By working with women who have experienced pregnancies with incidences of microencephalpy, further spread will be averted.
Conclusively, Zika virus preensts a modern day challenge with regard to infectious disease due to the advesre patient outcomes ecpecially among infants. As documented, mosquitoes of the Aedes species (A. aegypti and A. albopictus) are primarily responsible for the spread of the disease. In this regard, prevention strategies are aimed at eradicating mosquito breeding sites as well as measures aimed at preventing mosquito bites. Additionally, travelling to disease prone areas such as South America, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America should be done only when the geographical spread of the disease has been done. Furthermore, since infants suffer the most adverse effects of the disease in the form of microencephalpy, BSN appropriate mother to child intervention strategies are needed. BSN can lead the way in this regard by creating public awareness concerning the risks of the disease and plausible prevention strategies.
References
Leung, G. H., Baird, R. W., Druce, J., & Anstey, N. M. (2015). Zika Virus Infection in Australia Following a Monkey Bite in Indonesia. Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, 46(3), 460.
MacFadden, D. R., & Bogoch, I. I. (2016). Zika virus infection. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 188(5), 367-367.
Staples, J. E. (2016). Interim guidelines for the evaluation and testing of infants with possible congenital Zika virus infection—United States, 2016. MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report, 65.
