Skip to 0 minutes and 14 seconds JAMES LOGAN: In 2015, we saw large outbreaks of the Zika virus in Brazil. And it’s now been recorded in 84 countries and territories around the world. For most people, infection causes short-lived and relatively mild symptoms. However, in these recent outbreaks a medical condition in newborns called microcephaly has been associated with Zika, as well as additional neurological and autoimmune complications. I’m James Logan, professor of medical entomology. And I’m the lead educator for preventing the Zika virus, understanding and controlling the Aedes mosquito. I’m also the director of Arctec at the London School, where we develop and evaluate technologies aimed at controlling insects and other arthropods– particularly those of medical importance.
Skip to 0 minutes and 57 seconds For this course, we have gathered information and resources from experts in entomology, medicine, and public health. The course uses videos, articles, and discussions to introduce you to the Zika virus, and put the recent outbreak into context with other vector-borne diseases. Where has Zika come from? What role does the Aedes mosquito have in its transmission? And most importantly, how can we control it? This course has been updated since its first launch in 2016. And you will find updated facts and figures presented in the step outlines.
Skip to 1 minute and 29 seconds It’s suitable for you if you’re a health care professional, or working in a health care organisation, a student taking a health care or science-related degree, a public health adviser, anyone working in vector control programmes, or anyone with an interest in learning about the Zika virus and Aedes mosquitoes. It will last for three weeks, each week focusing on a different topic– from the virus itself, to the mosquito vector, and finally the control tools that are available.
