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Walden University NURS 4115 Role of the Nurse - Public and Global Health - Zika Virus and Respiratory Problems due to Climate Change

Zika Virus and Climate Change

Climate change has significantly impacted public health by contributing to the emergence and spread of infectious diseases. The increased use of fossil fuels has resulted in higher greenhouse gas emissions, leading to rising global temperatures. These changes have created favorable conditions for mosquito-borne illnesses such as Zika (Asad & Carpenter, 2017).

The Zika virus is primarily transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito and often presents mild symptoms in adults, including fever, rash, headache, joint pain, red eyes, and muscle discomfort (CDC, 2019). Although most individuals recover without hospitalization, the virus poses a serious risk to pregnant women as it can be transmitted to the fetus, leading to microcephaly, a condition that affects brain development.

This paper examines how climate change has influenced the spread of Zika in both developed and developing countries. It also explores the role of public health nurses in implementing health promotion strategies to mitigate these effects.

The Zika virus was first identified in Uganda in 1947, named after the Zika Forest where it was discovered. Human cases were documented in 1952, with outbreaks occurring in tropical Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Because the symptoms resemble those of other viral infections, many cases remain undiagnosed each year. While most infections are mild, some have resulted in severe neurological complications such as Guillain-Barré syndrome.

In 2015, cases of Zika were reported in Brazil and Central America, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to classify the virus as a major public health concern in 2016.

As climate patterns continue to shift, challenges related to infectious disease transmission have grown. The warming climate has expanded the geographic range of mosquito populations, increasing the risk of vector-borne diseases such as Zika. These mosquitoes, which thrive in warm and humid conditions, were historically found in tropical regions but are now migrating beyond these areas due to rising global temperatures (Ali et al., 2017).

Countries in Central and South America, tropical Africa, and Southeast Asia remain particularly vulnerable to Zika outbreaks due to their warm climates throughout the year. In the United States, there were no recorded cases of Zika before 2015. Since then, most infections have been identified in travelers returning from affected regions. However, some cases in Florida and Texas have been attributed to local mosquito transmission (CDC, 2019).

Respiratory Problems Due to Climate Change

The rapid growth of industrialization and urbanization has resulted in an increase in air pollution, leading to worsening air quality worldwide. While industrialized nations have long faced issues related to airborne pollutants, the problem is now escalating on a global scale (D’Amato et al., 2016).

The buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has contributed to higher global temperatures, leading to severe air pollution, more frequent floods, wildfires, and prolonged heatwaves. These environmental changes have had a direct impact on respiratory health, increasing the prevalence of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other lung conditions.

Climate change has also caused longer and more intense pollen seasons, leading to a higher incidence of allergic reactions and respiratory distress (D’Amato et al., 2016). The effects of these changes have been particularly evident in Western Europe and the Baltic region, where rising temperatures have altered pollen cycles. In the United States, the effects of climate change on respiratory health are becoming increasingly clear, with studies showing a 77% increase in respiratory disease linked to air pollution and a 58% increase in allergy-related illnesses (Sarfaty et al., 2015).

Role of the Nurse in Health Promotion

Nurses play a vital role in health promotion, particularly in addressing issues related to climate change and public health. One of the most significant contributions nurses can make is advocating for policies that support environmental sustainability and public health protections (Anderko, 2017).

As healthcare professionals, nurses have the responsibility to educate communities about the health risks associated with climate change. This includes advocating for sustainable energy sources, improved public transportation, and reforestation efforts. By supporting healthy public policies, nurses can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the health effects of climate change.

Beyond policy advocacy, nurses can also contribute through disease prevention and health education. Some key strategies include:

  • Educating communities on vector control measures to reduce mosquito populations in Zika-affected areas
  • Encouraging respiratory health screenings and early intervention for individuals exposed to air pollution and allergens
  • Supporting local and national initiatives aimed at improving air quality and environmental protections

By participating in public health campaigns and collaborating with policymakers, healthcare leaders, and environmental organizations, nurses can help create a healthier and more sustainable future.

Conclusion

Addressing public health challenges related to climate change requires nurses to work closely with healthcare leaders and policymakers to develop comprehensive strategies. Implementing disease monitoring systems for conditions such as the Zika virus ensures that outbreaks are identified and managed effectively, allowing patients to receive appropriate care and treatment.

Nurses can also contribute by training community health workers to educate the public on prevention strategies for vector-borne diseases. In addition, ongoing efforts to combat climate change will be essential to prevent the further spread of infectious diseases and to reduce the prevalence of chronic respiratory conditions.

Through education, prevention, and policy advocacy, nurses can make a significant impact in addressing the health effects of climate change, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for individuals and communities worldwide.

References

Ali, S., Gugliemini, O., Harber, S., Harrison, A., Houle, L., Ivory, J., . . . Mordecai, E. A. (2017). Environmental and social change drive the explosive emergence of Zika virus in the Americas. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 11(2). doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0005135

Anderko, L. (2017). Climate change and public health: Nurses can make a difference. Public Health Nursing, 34(2), 99-100. doi:10.1111/phn.12316

Asad, H., & Carpenter, D. O. (2018). Effects of climate change on the spread of Zika virus: A public health threat. Reviews on Environmental Health, 33(1), 31-42. doi:10.1515/reveh-2017-0042

D’Amato, G., Pawankar, R., Vitale, C., Lanza, M., Molino, A., Stanziola, A., . . . D’Amato, M. (2016). Climate change and air pollution: Effects on respiratory allergy. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4921692/

Sarfaty, M., Bloodhart, B., Ewart, G., Thurston, G. D., Balmes, J. R., Guidotti, T. L., & Maibach, E. W. (2015). American Thoracic Society Member Survey on Climate Change and Health. Annals of the American Thoracic Society, 12(2), 274-278. doi:10.1513/annalsats.201410-460bc

Zika Virus | CDC. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html

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