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The Zika Virus: Transmission, Effects, And Prevention

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The Zika Virus: Transmission, Effects, And Prevention
Broad Topic: The Zika Virus: Transmission, Effects, and Prevention
Narrowed Topic: The Transmission, Effects and Prevention of the Zika Virus by Mosquitoes
Research Question: How is the Zika Virus, transmitted to humans by mosquitoes, what are the effects and what ways can the transmission be reduced?
Thesis Statement: The Aedes species is the primary medium responsible for the transmission of ZikV, which may be accompanied with other ailments.

Introduction: The Zika virus is one considered as a flavivirus, in other words, the Zika virus is apart of the Flavivirus genus. This virus was first discovered 1947 in monkeys over in Uganda. Over the years, three major outbreaks occurred, the latest in the period of 2015-2016. This outbreak led to
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Reported cases were thoroughly investigated where they concluded that this flavivirus wasn’t just being transmitted (passing from one to another) through the bite of an Aedes species (these hosts also carries ChikV and DenV). They were taking every possible chance to get into the human system through the mediums of sexual contact (oral, vaginal, anal), blood transfusion, maternal transmission occurs and physical contact. However, ZikV is transmitted through a number of means, but primarily, through mosquitoes.

Topic Sentences
1. ZikV is transmitted primarily due to the bite of an infected female Aedes species mosquito, the same transmitter of the spreads Dengue fever virus and Chikungunya.
The main species that are responsible for transmission of the virus are the Aedes aegypti, which lives in and around buildings in urban areas and the Aedes albopictus, which lives in temperate, tropical and subtropical regions. (Sharma & Lal 2017)
These mosquitoes are characterized by white and black markings on their body and legs. Studies have determined that they are active and bite only during the
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M., Beckham, J. D., Tyler K. L. & Pastula D. M. (2017, Jan 19) Zika virus disease and associated neurologic complications. Current Infectious Disease Report. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28220392
Foster, A. (2016, July 29) How is the zika virus spread? Outbreak explained. Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. Retrieved from http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/647686/Zika-virus-spread-transmitted-transmission-mosquitoes-sex-mother-to-child-blood
Haye, E. B. (2009, Sept 15) Zika virus outside Africa. Emerging Infectious Diseases. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2819875/
Magraw, L. T. (2016, Feb 8) How to protect yourself against the zika virus. National Geographic. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/travel-interests/tips-and-advice/how-to-protect-yourself-against-the-zika-virus/
Mosquito Prevention Checklist. Vector Control, Ministry of Health Jamaica. (2015, May 12) Retrieved from http://moh.gov.jm/mosquito-prevention-checklist/
Russell, R.C. (1996). A colour photo atlas of mosquitoes of southeastern Australia. Medical Entomology, Westmead Hospital. Retrieved from

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