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Title:

War on Disease? Zika Sheds Light on Growing Military Role in Global Health

Authors:

Michael Snyder

Date posted:

February 05, 2016

Publication type:

Article

Publication:

International Peace Institute, February 5, 2016

Publisher:

International Peace Institute

Availability:

Available on Publisher Website

See also:

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Introduction:

On Monday, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Zika virus a public health emergency of international concern, with the potential to infect up to four million people in the Americas by year’s end. Under increasing pressure to slow the spread of the disease, the Brazilian government has stepped up its response, including mobilizing 220,000 military personnel to cities across the country.

According to Brazil’s ministry of health, the military will be used to spread awareness by going door-to-door, handling out pamphlets, and distributing mosquito repellent. However, it is believed that the troops will also use this opportunity to identify which homes are potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes and target those sites for surveillance and fumigation. Mosquitoes are known to carry the Zika virus, which has been linked with the rare congenital condition microcephaly in newborn babies.