Because Zika is a newly emerging infectious disease with little previous information known about it, there are many epidemiologic and clinical questions. The complexity of providing care to those who are at risk for infection or are already infected with Zika in this evidence-scarce environment cannot be understated. In this article, we provide an overview of the Zika virus (ZIKV) in the context of public health and pediatric health care. A broad public health focus is used to provide relevant information for addressing important questions about the epidemic and to facilitate communication with patients, parents, and caregivers within the current information environment. We explore issues regarding the epidemiology of the virus (including why ZIKV outbreaks are occurring), what has changed since the sporadic case reports before the outbreaks, why the true incidence is difficult to estimate, why attack rates vary by population and geography, and why the association between Zika and congenital Zika syndrome and Guillain-Barré syndrome have only come to light recently. Additionally, challenges related to the current information environment, traditional and informal information sources about the ZIKV, and examples of Zika public health communication campaigns are discussed. Importantly, we review the existing findings regarding the US population’s Zika-related knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behavior by highlighting variations and gaps. We conclude by identifying related research questions that remain critical.
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February 2018
Supplement Article|
February 01 2018
Zika and Public Health: Understanding the Epidemiology and Information Environment
Pia D.M. MacDonald, PhD;
RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
Address correspondence to Pia D.M. MacDonald, PhD, MPH, RTI International, 2150 Shattuck Ave, Suite 800, Berkeley, CA 94704. E-mail: pmacdonald@rti.org
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E. Wayne Holden, PhD
E. Wayne Holden, PhD
RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
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Address correspondence to Pia D.M. MacDonald, PhD, MPH, RTI International, 2150 Shattuck Ave, Suite 800, Berkeley, CA 94704. E-mail: pmacdonald@rti.org
POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST: The authors have indicated they have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose.
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: The authors have indicated they have no financial relationships relevant to this article to disclose.
Pediatrics (2018) 141 (Supplement_2): S137–S145.
Article history
Accepted:
November 03 2017
Citation
Pia D.M. MacDonald, E. Wayne Holden; Zika and Public Health: Understanding the Epidemiology and Information Environment. Pediatrics February 2018; 141 (Supplement_2): S137–S145. 10.1542/peds.2017-2038B
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