I decided to write my discussion on the emergence of the Zika virus. What is Zika and how is it transmitted? Zika virus is an infection that is passed by mosquitoes. Zika was first discovered inside monkeys in 1947 by scientists studying yellow fever in the Zika forest (WHO, 2016). The majority of people who are infected with zika may be asymptomatic. If you do develop symptoms, you may have a fever, rash, headaches, joint pains, redness in the eyes, and muscle pains. The correct way to diagnose zika is by using PCR (polymerase chain reaction). The timeline below provided by World Health Organization (2016) shows the countries that were infected by the Zika virus. In February of 2016, WHO declares the emergence of the Zika virus has been linked to cases of microcephaly and Guillain- Barre syndrome (GBS), and other neurological disorders. This increase was caused due to the mothers becoming infected by the zika virus. Although zika may not cause every cause of GBS and other brain abnormalities. It was enough to bring attention to public health to take the appropriate measures. One of the guidelines that should be taken if you are pregnant, you should not travel outside of the country. If you are to travel outside of the country it is best for you to have travel insurance. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) continues to monitor the zika virus in America and the Caribbean. In January 2022, there were 13 countries reported cases of the zika virus. The following countries are listed below with the number of cases and deaths. · Bolivia: 173 cases · Brazil: 29,117 cases (4 deaths) · Colombia: 138 cases · Costa Rica: 45 cases · Guatemala: 1,685 cases · Honduras: 37 cases · Mexico: 12 cases · Nicaragua: 4 cases · Panama: 3 cases · Paraguay: 785 cases · Peru: 20 cases · Puerto Rico: 20 cases · Venezuela: 9 cases WC 497 With the emergence of the zika virus, we all should take the necessary precautions to protect ourselves and our love ones. The history of zika virus (no date) World Health Organization. World Health Organization. Available at: (Accessed: February 7, 2016). Zika (no date) PAHO/WHO | Pan American Health Organization. Available at: (Accessed: January 25, 2023). Vibrio Cholera Cholera bacterial has been around for many centuries, the diarrheal disease came out to prominence in the 19th ce
ntury, when a devastating outbreak occured in india. Cholera is a critical intestinal infection disease caused by a toxigenic bacterium called vibrio cholerae. Vibrio cholera is classified serologically; there are over hundreads of strains or serogroups of cholera bacteria, only 2 strains of bacteria knwon to cause outbreacks and epidemics ( vibrio cholerae 01 and vibrio cholerae 0139) according to World Health Organization ( WHO). Vibrio cholera is highly Motile, gram negative, curve-shapped rod and carries a unipolar flagellum, associates to the family of vibrionaceae. Normally the bacterium vibrio cholerae is found in food or water contaminated with cholera bacteria . The period of incubation can range from 12 hours to about 5 days for symptoms to appear after an individual ingests cholera bacteria. Symptoms begin suddenly with vomiting, comply by an abundant watery feces called secretory diarrhea ( Cowan, M. K.& Smith H. 2021, p668). The voided fluid commonly reffered to as rice water , stools often contains flecks of mucus. Other symptoms include musle cramp, thirst, restlessness or irritability. The symptoms of cholera vary according to the gravity of the disease. Most people infected with the disease experience mild to no symptoms at all, but the infection can be sometimes severe and life-treatening. If the disease left untreated, severe desydratation as a sign of complication can promptly lead to shock, coma and even death as a result of fluid and electrolytes loss. Most cases of cholera can be diagnosed based on clinical suspiscion in people with severe acute watery diarrhea, although, the only way to confirm a diagnosis of vibrio cholera is to identify the presence of bacteria 01 oe 0139 in a stool sample. Since cholera is most commonly transmitted throuh ingestion of contaminated food and water, a good and safe hygiene include whashing hands often, drinking clean water, eating well cooked food can help prevent the spread of the disease. Rehydratation oral or intraveinous is the main treatment for cholera following with antibiotic for severely ill patients according to Centers for disease control (CDC). W,C: 355 References: Cowan, M. K. & Smith H. (2021). Microbiology: A System Approach. New York, NY. McGraw ll Education. WHO (2014) Cholera Fact Sheet No. 107. February 2014. Geneva: World Health Organization