Zika Virus Health Geography: Epidemiology Geography

Zika virus is a mosquito-borne illness primarily spread by Aedes mosquitoes, common in tropical and subtropical regions. It can cause mild symptoms like fever and rash, but the most significant concern is its link to serious birth defects when pregnant women become infected. Health geography, especially in tropical disease contexts, studies how Zika spreads in different environments, identifying hotspots and risk factors. This information is crucial for implementing effective public health strategies to control outbreaks and protect vulnerable populations, particularly in regions where both the virus and its mosquito vectors thrive.