CDC reports that as of March 30, there have been 312 cases of Zika in the U.S. but 4 out of 10 people have not heard of Zika or have heard very little according to an AP and Univ of Chicago poll during the last week of March 2016. The poll also showed that only 25% of Americans thought the US should pull out of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, where Zika has been most widely observed.
CDC should take the opportunity as the federal agency give the public health risk communication task for public health emergencies (Executive Order, Bush '43) and provide leadership on this task, describing the ways that Zika can be transmitted, including close intimate contact, etc. and how to prevent infections, what to do to avoid mosquito bites.
Finally, CDC should be showing leadership in advocating the use the Oxitec mosquito as much as possible to combat Zika gaining a foothold in the U.S. The genetically modified Oxitec mosquito has been effective in reducing Aedes mosquitoes, those mosquitoes responsible for transmitting Zika as well as Dengue Fever. Public information campaigns about the use of GMO mosquitoes would go a long way to address any concerns from the public about releasing them into the environment.
CDC should take the opportunity as the federal agency give the public health risk communication task for public health emergencies (Executive Order, Bush '43) and provide leadership on this task, describing the ways that Zika can be transmitted, including close intimate contact, etc. and how to prevent infections, what to do to avoid mosquito bites.
Finally, CDC should be showing leadership in advocating the use the Oxitec mosquito as much as possible to combat Zika gaining a foothold in the U.S. The genetically modified Oxitec mosquito has been effective in reducing Aedes mosquitoes, those mosquitoes responsible for transmitting Zika as well as Dengue Fever. Public information campaigns about the use of GMO mosquitoes would go a long way to address any concerns from the public about releasing them into the environment.
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