Zika Outbreak Concern in Border Communities: Zika Virus Dissemination Prevention Program

Abstract

The rapid and vast expansion of Zika virus in the Americas has heightened interest in members of the health sciences community, including public health agencies and officials. Concern of a future Zika outbreak in the United States is imminent. Prior studies, in combination with surveys administered by the author, suggest that mosquito avoidance behaviors could use improvement, especially in areas of high susceptibility of mosquito-borne illness dissemination. Border communities often face more health-related complications due to lack of appropriate resources, indicating the need for preventive education in these areas. The purpose of this thesis is to bring awareness to this outbreak potential, as well as providing a comprehensive health educational unit plan for high school students on the Tohono O’odham reservation in Southern Arizona. Focusing on awareness and emphasis on mosquito avoidance behaviors are crucial methods that must be implemented in these communities to reduce the chances of both travel-related and autochthonous Zika development and transmission.