Open AccessThe Zika Virus Outbreak in Brazil: Knowledge Gaps and Challenges for Risk Reduction
Author(s) -
Claudia Garcia Serpa Osório-de-Castro,
Elaine Silva Miranda,
Carlos Machado de Freitas,
Kenneth Rochel de Camargo,
Hilarie Cranmer
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.2017.303705
Subject(s) - zika virus , outbreak , public health , environmental health , population , medicine , business , geography , virology , virus , nursing
We analyzed uncertainties and complexities of the Zika virus outbreak in Brazil, and we discuss risk reduction for future emergencies. We present the public health situation in Brazil and concurrent determinants of the epidemic and the knowledge gaps that persist despite building evidence from research, making public health decisions difficult. Brazil has adopted active measures, but producing desired outcomes may be uncertain because of partial or unavailable information. Reducing population group vulnerabilities and acting on environmental issues are medium- to long-term measures. Simultaneously dealing with information gaps, uncontrolled disease spread, and vulnerabilities is a new risk scenario and must be approached decisively to face emerging biothreats.