Introduction
Zika is a mildly infectious viral disease whose main mode of transmission is the chomp of an Aedes species mosquito that is already infected with the virus. The mosquitoes exist in two types, Aedes aegypti, and Aedes albopictus . Emergence and spread of the virus are accredited to the Zika forest which is located in Uganda. The disease was first discovered here in 1947. The initial infections on the human species were reported in 1952 in some parts of South East Asia and Topical Africa. Since the time the disease was first reported, minimal cases have been recorded to date and this may have been caused by the fact that the symptoms that accompany the disease resemble those of other many diseases and so it might have gone unnoticed. This could also be contributed by the fact that the disease heals after a week in adults even with no formal treatment efforts. ("Orange County, California - Zika", 2016)
The disease presents itself on the human species in joint pain, rash, fever and red eyes (conjunctivitis). Upon the bite by an infected mosquito, an individual may display some mild symptoms that may last up to seven days. The minimal and short-lived effects of the disease hardly cause human deaths and a good number of infected people don't even discern the infection and thus they hardly seek medical attention for the same. The disease, however, lacks a specific treatment and most infected people rely on the relief that comes naturally after a week.
The effects of Zika may, however, cause acute complications for pregnant mothers which may adversely affect the unborn. The disease may cause defects in the brain of the fetus and cause a disorder called microcephaly. This is usually a neurological disorder that causes the head of an infant to be smaller than those of other infants of the same age, size, and sex. Other means of transmission for the Zika virus include sexual intercourse from a man to his partners. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions, there exists a high probability for an individual who is once infected by the virus once to develop immunity or protection against subsequent infections. ("About Zika Virus Disease | Zika virus | CDC", 2016)
How is it important to the people of California?
The discussion on the importance of a disease to the people would really puzzle any human of sane mind due to the fact that diseases are perceived to be enemies of the human life and the entire humanity. However, the importance of Zika to the people of California is founded on the premise that no case of Zika transmission had ever been reported in the state. The few cases of the disease (six cases confirmed by February 2016 for the period since 2013) have been associated with individuals who travel to other regions infested with the virus and come back to California already infected with Zika. The transmission of the disease has however been prevented by the existence of elaborate housing conditions, water and sewerage management and insect control practices that reduce the degree of human contact with the virus spreading mosquito. ("Orange County, California - Zika", 2016)
The importance of the disease to the people of California is therefore tied on the saying that "prevention is better than cure". The fact that no cases of transmission of the disease have been confirmed in the region despite the existence of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in at least twelve counties in the state is a sufficient motivation for the citizens and the governmental authorities to beef up the transmission and preventive measures in the state. Since the Californians are aware of the existence of the disease, its mode of transmission, its symptoms, and its adverse effects especially in the unborn babies (fetus), they have a role to ensure that the virus stays out of the state. ("Orange County, California - Zika", 2016)
Why should people care?
The Zika virus infection among adults has been identified as mild and characterized with fever, conjunctiva, joint pains and or rash that emerge in 3 to 7 days of infection and often disappear in a fortnight. The fear associated with diseases that have no specific cure is inexistent for Zika in adults because it subsides without treatment. The threat of Zika is, however, a threat to the continuity of a normal and healthy society due to the adverse effects on fetuses if their mothers contract the disease during pregnancy. If a pregnant mother accidentally contracts the disease, the safety of the unborn baby is left to fate since the mother may get a natural relief from the disease but the effects on the child will be irreversible.
Previous researches by the Californian department of public health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have shown that there exists a direct connection between Zika infection during pregnancy and the onset of fetal microcephaly and other chronic brain disorders in the newborn baby. The former is a permanent disorder that cannot be reversed by any form of treatment in the life of the baby. The baby is born with a smaller head unlike other babies of the same age and sex. The latter may be a makeup of curable and incurable disorders in the brain of the baby. In the event that it's curable, it may be costly for the parents and if incurable, the child will live his whole life in a state of mental abnormality. (CRNP, 2016)
The future of the whole society (social, political and economical) is dependent on the existence of a young generation. It is further entrenched in the mental sanity of the generation. The threat posed on the brains of the newborns poses a great threat to the survival of the Californian society if the disease is left to penetrate into the population.
The people should, therefore, care due to the threat posed by the disease to the future generation and continuity of the society. It's unimaginable to have a society of people with inborn preventable mental disorders.
What can be done about it?
The persistence and advancement of any disease in any society should be countered in good time to prevent further infections where possible. The citizens and the government of California have various opportunities at their disposal that can be utilized to curb the spread of Zika.
The infecting mosquitoes were not previously found in California until after 2011 when they were identified in various parts of the State. Although there is hardly any evidence for the existence of mosquitoes infected with the Zika virus in California, the Department of Public health urges people to protect themselves from all kinds of mosquito bites. The people in California should take a frontline role in the reduction or elimination of mosquitoes so as to avoid mosquito bites. ("California Department of Public health", 2016). The preventive measures include the draining of all stagnant waters in the environment. This will destroy the breeding places for the mosquitoes and thus ensure that their populations are reduced. The use of treated mosquito repellents and nets will protect the people against mosquito bites during the day and night. ("Zika virus", 2016)
Appropriate dress code may also assist in the prevention of individuals against Zika. Individuals can wear clothes that cover a bigger percentage of their bodies such as shirts and blouses with long sleeves to reduce the exposure of their bodies to the mosquito bites. The adoption of strict medical tests for all incoming travelers can also prove to be a reliable measure of the control of the disease entry into the Californian state. This can be accompanied by such measures as a quarantine for the infected travelers for a period that allows the disease to subside. This will ensure that such an individual does not transmit the virus through mosquito bites.
Since the viral infections are still minimal in California, the residents of the state can all join hands to deter the disease from establishing a habitable niche in their society. In a bid to counter the menace, any individual infected with the disease or displays such symptoms as rash, fever, and red eyes especially if they have just arrived from a region associated with Zika infections, they should first seek quick medical attention and take all protective measures to avoid mosquito bites. If an infected person protects himself from a mosquito bite, he blocks an avenue for the transmission of the disease. The vector control agency in California should also take a central role in the fight against Zika by detecting any new species of mosquitoes in the region and suggesting relevant control measures.
The sexual transmission of the virus can be halted by the practice of protected sexual intercourse. This can be encouraged across the whole state for all people to be aware of the modes of transmission and the effects of the disease just like HIV/ AIDS. Scientific research may also commit a lot of focus into the research for a possible cure or vaccine against the virus. A curative or preventive measure will be of great advantage to the state since the threat posed to its continuity by Zika will be eliminated. ("ASRM: Want To Know More About Zika Virus?", 2016)
Conclusion
The fact that there have not been any reported cases of native transmissions of the disease in California and the threat posed by the disease to the newborn babies should be sufficient motivations for the people in the state to take all precautionary measures to ensure that the disease does not find a place on their land. The state administration should also invest sufficiently in scientific research aimed at establishing a long lasting solution to the threat posed by the disease.
References
About Zika Virus Disease | Zika virus | CDC. (2016). Cdc.gov. Retrieved 17 May 2016, from http://www.cdc.gov/zika/about/index.html
California Department of Public health. (2016). Retrieved 17 May 2016, from https://www.cdph.ca.gov
Orange County, California - Zika. (2016). Ochealthinfo.com. Retrieved 17 May 2016, from http://ochealthinfo.com/phs/about/dcepi/epi/disease/zika
ASRM: Want To Know More About Zika Virus?. (2016). Asrm.org. Retrieved 17 May 2016, from http://www.asrm.org/Zika_Virus/?gclid=CjwKEAjwguu5BRDq8uSKhaKIzDkSJACQ7WJlkt0MlZCTBq2E52gXa4MMobxbGwcXyHXTMmwkLp-ONxoCb-bw_wcB
CRNP, L. (2016). Zika Virus: Symptoms, Facts, Diagnosis. Medical News Today. Retrieved 17 May 2016, from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/305163.php
Zika virus. (2016). World Health Organization. Retrieved 17 May 2016, from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/zika/en/
