| Description : |
Since 2015, more than 2,600 children in Latin America and the Caribbean have been born with microcephaly caused by the Zika virus outbreak, in addition to other congenital malformations. It expanded rapidly in the region since the general population had no prior immunity. Unlike other health emergencies with an immediate death toll, Zika has a delayed (and almost silent) impact on individuals, specifically during pregnancy, and lifelong consequences for families. Through a mosquito bite during pregnancy, children are being born with severe disabilities. Affecting the general population’s response to this outbreak was their low risk perception due to their familiarity with its transmission vector, the Aedes aegypti mosquito, and the other diseases it also causes, dengue and chikungunya.
Given this situation, UNICEF has actively responded at the regional level with multi-country, multi-sectorial actions to reduce the risk Zika poses to pregnant women and prevent its impact on children and their families. The response has been based on a resilience approach, through behavioural and social change efforts, that will contribute to a more lasting and sustainable effect. As a result, the population will be more prepared to future vector based outbreaks, and possibly to a second Zika outbreak or as Zika as a future endemic disease.
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