Table of ContentsIntroductionZika VirusSigns and SymptomsVulnerable GroupSocial FactorsProtection and PreventionRisk CommunicationConclusionIntroductionRisk communication is the sharing of ideas and knowledge between two parties about the nature, objective and control of the risk. Public health risk communication means involving the public and responding to questions and concerns as well as conveying important public health messages. Risk communication helps the public make decisions about risk mitigation measures and also helps improve public knowledge about potential and actual threats to health. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get the original essay The Zika virus outbreak was first reported in Africa and Asia in 2007. Later, there had a large outbreak in the Pacific Islands between 2013 and 2015 and in America the Zika virus is still present. In South Asian countries like Thailand and Indonesia, there is evidence of Zika virus cases having been present at low levels for several years. This article explores risk communication plans for the Zika virus. Zika Virus Zika virus is the mosquito-borne flavivirus that is affected by the virus originally transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. This mosquito usually bites during the day, mainly early in the morning and late afternoon/evening. These same mosquitoes can also cause yellow fever, dengue fever and chikungunya. The Zika virus can be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy, causing microcephaly, through sexual contact, through transmission of blood and blood products, through organ transplantation. It has also been detected in semen, urine, amniotic fluid, saliva as well as body fluid found. in the brain and spinal cord.Signs and symptomsIt normally takes 3 to 12 days for symptoms to appear once a person is infected with the Zika virus. The person infected with the Zika virus may experience flu-like symptoms, fever, rash, muscle and joint pain, headache especially at the back of the eyes, conjunctivitis, weakness and a lack of energy. These symptoms only last for a few days, so people have to endure a mild infection without any difficulty. However, it is generally accepted that the Zika virus is passed from a mother to her unborn baby, resulting in a small head and brain size known as microcephaly. Scientists have proven that the Zika virus can cause paralysis called Guillain-Barré syndrome, which can also be caused by other viruses and bacteria. Vulnerable group Women infected with Zika virus during pregnancy are associated with congenital abnormality and adverse pregnancy outcomes. it can therefore be said that women during pregnancy are highly regarded as a vulnerable population group with additional needs. The Zika virus is the leading cause of pregnancy complications that lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, fetal birth, and premature birth. Social FactorsSocial factors as well as environmental factors contribute to enhancing the emergence of Zika virus. For example, a large population is exposed to a high density of infected mosquitoes due to social change during and after the natural disaster. In addition, the earthquake that struck the province of Manabí in April 2016resulted in the destruction of infrastructure, contamination of the water source, and forcing people outside, leading to an increase in local transmission of the Zika virus and an increase in the rate of human contact with infected mosquitoes . Likewise, people living in poor urban areas with inadequate sanitation, access to water, and infrastructure are susceptible to the Zika virus. Protection and prevention The main solution for the prevention of Zika virus infection is protection against mosquito bites during the day and evening, especially special attention is paid to pregnant women, women of childbearing age and young children. For personal protection, people should wear clothing that covers the part of the body exposed to mosquito bites as much as possible and use physical barriers such as closing windows and doors, applying insect repellent creams to the skin. Young children should always sleep under the mosquito net if they sleep during the day and evening. Aedes mosquitoes are mainly found in the small collection of water around the home, school and workplace, so the water storage container should always be covered and the surrounding area should always remain clean and odorless. People need to be regularly updated with information to encourage the individual to change their behavior and reduce the risk of confusion and panic. Risk communication Communication has become as essential to epidemic control as epidemiological training and laboratory testing. WHO and CDC have developed outbreak communications manuals that provide an evidence-based framework and best practices for communicating on behalf of an organization responding to public health emergencies. The CDC's Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication Manual outlines six principles of effective emergency and risk communication. , which include being first, being right, being credible, expressing empathy, promoting action, and showing respect. The manual also helps ensure that limited resources are managed well and do their best in each phase of an emergency response. Credibility refers to honesty and truthfulness during crises. The key principle of outbreak communication is to communicate in a way that establishes, maintains, or reestablishes trust between the public and outbreak managers. Without this trust, the public will not believe health information communicated by health authorities during an outbreak and will not act accordingly. Announcing information early or being first is also an important principle that avoids rumors and misinformation. For members of the public, communicating information quickly is crucial because crises are time-sensitive and the first source of information often becomes the preferred source. Accuracy or being right establishes credibility. Information used to communicate risks can include what is known, what is not known, and what is being done to fill gaps. WHO also recommends continued transparency to maintain public trust throughout an outbreak, including providing complete and timely information. Expressing empathy is also one of the principles of risk communication. Suffering in an emergency must be acknowledged verbally. Addressing how people feel and the challenges they face builds trust and relationships. It is especially important to align with this respectful communication when people.