In the footsteps of Zika… approaching the unknown

This module addresses what is known and what is unknown about the neurological adverse effects of Zika virus, especially based on observations and research studies carried out in French Polynesia and in Brazil. In this module you will gain knowledge about the association between Zika infection in mothers and microcephaly in foetus in Brazil as well as the increased Guillain-Barré Syndrome in adults during the Zika outbreak in French Polynesia in 2013-2014. Prof. Olivier Picone, gynecologist-obstetrician, will explain the mechanisms of Zika infection and its health consequences. Dr. Patricia Jungmann will present us the race against time to understand the increased of microcephaly cases in Northeastern Brazil at the beginning of the outbreak and how doctors and scientists worked hand in hand to find clues to better understand the phenomenon. You will learn how the fear of microcephaly is becoming a nightmare for pregnant Brazilian women or those who would like to fall pregnant with Prof. Aluisio Cotrim Segurado and Prof. Laura Rodrigues. Prof. Tom Solomon and Prof. Arnaud Fontanet will close the module with the neurological effects of Zika in adults, notably regarding the Guillain-Barré syndrome that recently occurred in many infected cases in French Polynesia.

The module 6 presents the inequity existing between poor and wealthy communities in the fight against Zika virus in Brazil and South America. You will learn that decades of rapid and chaotic urbanization have left many impoverished areas without basic sanitation, putting the poor at far greater risk of contracting Zika and other mosquito-borne viruses. Aside from the dangers that come with the spread of this disease, you will learn how inequity is aggravated by difference of access to health care, socio-economical support, and limited reproductive rights in this region. Finally, the module will make you better understand the fact that women’s rights and reproductive issues in the South America landscape are highly controversial topics. You will also better understand how Zika virus is starting a legal revolution regarding abortion right, while it has always been largely illegal and seen as a taboo in many countries in South America. Dr. Serge Rabier will start by describing the anthropological perspective related to the health crisis of Zika in South America. You will learn with Prof. Helena Ribeiro the inequity regarding exposure to virus in favelas and elsewhere. Dr. Ester Sabino will talk about contraception and abortion challenges for women in Brazil. Finally, Dr. Flávia Bulegon Pilecco will close the module by telling us how Zika is fuelling a new debate over legal and safe abortion in South America.

The module 7 explains how the recent Zika outbreak, the cluster of microcephaly cases and neurological events occurring at the same time and place (mainly Brazil) resulted in a public health emergency of international concern. You will learn about the role and duties of international organizations and the fact that this is the first time the global scientific community commits to sharing data on Zika. You will be exposed by discussions related to the fact that WHO and other partners seek to learn from their failure regarding the Ebola crisis, after they were heavily criticised for their slow response.

Prof. David Heymann will start by explaining how Zika became a public health emergency of international concern. Dr. Marie-Paule Kieny, Dr. Sylvie Briand and Dr. In-Kyu Yoon will debate for us on the roles and duties of international organizations to ensure that proportionate actions are taken and what lessons we learnt from the past outbreaks.

In this module you will better understand how Zika virus has been controlled or uncontrolled by the medias in the era of social networks, and what could be the role of the medias regarding prevention and control of the Zika disease in South and Latin America.The module 8 reports how the Zika phenomenon has been hitting the headlines over the past months. You will learn that aside from the health risks it poses, Zika also affects economy and politics in South America. You will be exposed to the economic adverse effects of Zika on touristic hotspots in Latin America and on the coming Olympic games in Brazil. Dr. Paul Benkimoun will start by making a summary of what has been reported in headlines in the past few months. Dr. Jean-Yves Nau will make an analysis of the different ingredients the Zika phenomenon is constructed of in the news, such as health, politics and economy. Margaret Harris will tell us the importance of the transparency and the adequacy of the messages that should be disseminated to the public. Dr. Anneliese Depoux will let us know what are the raise of awareness via social networks. Finally, Dr. Josselin Thuilliez will close the module by debating on economical issues related to the Zika phenomenon.