Tools and Resources to Fight the Spread of Zika
The Zika Communication Network (ZCN) (http://www.zikacommunicationnetwork.org) is a curated collection of essential, evidence-based strategic behavior change communication (SBCC) materials, provider training tools and guidance, and preparedness strategies to help health and development professionals minimize the spread of Zika and related negative pregnancy outcomes.
Materials and resources can be searched by type, topic, audience, language, country, or publication source.
The Zika Communication Network is a collaborative effort of all USAID-funded and non-USAID funded implementing partners working on the interagency Zika Response Initiative.
ZCN Basics
Twitter:
- Access the new Zika Communication Network for health and dev workers: http://www.zikacommunicationnetwork.org @K4Health
- ZCN has resources to prepare your Zika response plan: http://www.zikacommunicationnetwork.org @K4Health
- New tools and resources to fight the spread of Zika. Check out the Zika Communication Network: http://www.zikacommunicationnetwork.org @K4Health
- How can we help fight the spread of Zika? Share your ideas by submitting your resources: http://www.zikacommunicationnetwork.org/upload-materials/ @K4Health
- Want to stay updated on the Zika response? Follow the latest on Zika Communication Network: http://www.zikacommunicationnetwork.org/tag/zika-news/ @K4Health
- Sign up for notifications of latest resources + blog posts on Zika Communication Network at: http://www.zikacommunicationnetwork.org/ @K4Health
Facebook:
- The Zika Communication Network is here! Check out our one-stop shop for Zika prevention and preparedness materials: http://www.zikacommunicationnetwork.org
- Stay up-to-date on all things Zika: Follow the latest news on the response and new research on the disease and its impact on the Zika Communication Network: http://www.zikacommunicationnetwork.org/tag/zika-news/
Mosquito Transmission
Zika is caused by a virus that is transmitted primarily by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito, which also transmits dengue and chikungunya and is found in over 100 countries worldwide. It can also be transmitted:
- From a pregnant woman to her fetus,
- Through sexual contact, and
- Through blood transfusion.
The virus can be present without people being aware of it – In fact, about 80% of those infected with the Zika virus are asymptomatic and/or have really mild symptoms. As a result, there is low perceived risk. In the absence of a vaccine, effective strategic change communication is an effective tool to address behavior-related aspects of Zika transmission.
Twitter:
- Share your evidence-based Zika SBCC resources and tools at: http://www.zikacommunicationnetwork.org/upload-materials/ @K4Health
Facebook:
- Whether you are looking for materials to empower communities to tackle Zika or training resources for health and development workers, we have everything you need. Start your search on the Zika Communication Network: http://www.zikacommunicationnetwork.org
- Do you have evidence-based tools or resources that can help health professionals minimize the spread of Zika? Submit them on the Zika Communication Network: http://www.zikacommunicationnetwork.org/upload-materials/
Sexual Transmission
Zika virus poses grave consequences for pregnant women. It can result in severe neurological conditions, such as Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Zika congenital syndrome, including microcephaly. Responding to the Zika crisis has shed light on much bigger health systems challenges in affected countries, including lack of access to comprehensive contraceptive information and services in some communities affected or threatened by the Zika virus. Family planning can reduce the risk of Zika-related birth defects by allowing women and couples to delay or avoid pregnancy if they wish.
Twitter:
- Find a variety of tools to talk about the use of family planning and Zika http://bit.ly/2bb37Tz @K4Health
- What does FP have to do with Zika? Check out: http://bit.ly/2blx8hb @K4Health @HealthCommCap
- Sexual transmission of Zika: Access to FP information and a variety of methods is key. http://bit.ly/2b1Envs @K4Health
Facebook:
- The sexual transmission of Zika highlights the need for access to quality FP information and a variety of methods. FP can reduce the risk of Zika-related birth defects by allowing women and couples to delay or avoid pregnancy if they wish. To learn more check out some of our FP resources on the Zika Communication Network: http://www.zikacommunicationnetwork.org/latest-materials/#!/topics=family-planning
Join the Conversation
Now it’s your turn. Join the conversation on @K4Health by sharing your SBCC and provider training tools, resources, and experience in the fight to stop the spread of Zika.
- Copy any of the tweets above, or write your own, and tweet about #Zika
- Copy any of the Facebook posts above, or write your own, and post about #Zika
- Upload and crop one of the images above in Instagram, and post about #Zika
This website is made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Knowledge for Health II (K4Health) Project (AID-OAA-A-13-00068) and the Health Communication Capacity Collaborative (HC3) Project (AID-OAA-A-12-00058). K4Health and HC3 are implemented by the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs (CCP). The contents of this website are the sole responsibility of CCP. The information provided on this website is not official U.S. Government information and does not necessarily represent the views or positions of USAID, the United States Government, or The Johns Hopkins University.
Copyright © 2016 Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health / Center for Communication Programs, All rights reserved.