Ethical, legal and societal considerations on Zika virus epidemics complications in scaling-up prevention and control strategies
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Date
2017
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Philosophy, Ethics, and Humanities in Medicine
Abstract
Much of the fear and uncertainty around Zika epidemics stem from potential association between Zika virus (ZIKV)
complications on infected pregnant women and risk of their babies being born with microcephaly and other
neurological abnormalities. However, much remains unknown about its mode of transmission, diagnosis and long-term
pathogenesis. Worries of these unknowns necessitate the need for effective and efficient psychosocial programs and
medical-legal strategies to alleviate and mitigate ZIKV related burdens. In this light, local and global efforts in maintaining
fundamental health principles of moral, medical and legal decision-making policies, and interventions to preserve and
promote individual and collective Human Rights, autonomy, protection of the most vulnerable, equity, dignity, integrity
and beneficence that should not be confused and relegated by compassionate humanitarian assistance and support. This
paper explores the potential medical and ethical-legal implications of ZIKV epidemics emergency response packages and
strategies alongside optimizing reproductive and mental health policies, programs and best practice measures. Further
long-term cross-borders operational research is required in elucidating Zika-related population-based epidemiology,
ethical-medical and societal implications in guiding evidence-based local and global ZIKV maternal-child health
complications related approaches and interventions. Core programs and interventions including future Zika safe and
effective vaccines for global Zika immunization program in most vulnerable and affected countries and worldwide should
be prioritized.