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In the footsteps of Zika… approaching the unknown

Approx. 13 hours to complete

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Course Summary

Learn about the Zika virus, how it spreads, and the health risks associated with it. This course will also cover prevention methods and management strategies for the disease.

Key Learning Points

Understand the history and biology of the Zika virus
Learn about the symptoms and health risks associated with Zika
Explore prevention methods and management strategies for the disease

Learning Outcomes

Understand the biology and history of the Zika virus
Identify the symptoms and health risks associated with Zika
Develop prevention and management strategies for the disease

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

Basic knowledge of biology and public health
Access to internet and a computer or mobile device

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online self-paced course
Video lectures and quizzes
Peer-graded assignments

Similar Courses

Ebola Virus Disease: An Evolving Epidemic
Global Health: An Interdisciplinary Overview

Related Education Paths

Master of Public Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Notable People in This Field

Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Chief Medical Correspondent at CNN

Related Books

Description

Welcome !

Welcome to this on-demand MOOC “In the footsteps of Zika… approaching the unknown”. This MOOC has been produced by Université de Genève (www.unige.ch), Institut Pasteur (www.pasteur.fr), Université Paris Descartes (www.parisdescartes.fr) and Centre Virchow-Villermé (virchowvillerme.eu). With the help of the intervention of faculty members and international experts, we will explore together the recent Zika phenomenon, a previously rare benign virus that recently turned unexpectedly into the limelight when on the 1st of February 2016 it was declared by the WHO as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. As this outbreak is still ongoing and under close investigation, this MOOC has the opportunity to be an open learning experience that will follow the marked developments and new discoveries over time. This MOOC will bring you to the heart of the Zika outbreak and invite you to this adventure in uncharted territories. Moreover, we invite you to join the interactive dialogue among participants and facilitators through a community of practice, which promotes questions, critical thinking, participatory learning, as well as interrelated and ongoing collaborative information. Let us learn hand in hand all together to go further in finding clues and eventually solutions! Course description This interdisciplinary course is divided into 8 modules available in 4 languages (subtitles in English, French, Portuguese, Spanish). Each module is organized around a central topic that will help those who take the course to develop their skills and knowledge. Each module provides - interviews with specialists - quizes - recommended readings - online videos and web links. This MOOC will cover a range of topics, such as epidemiology, historical and geographical dispersion of the virus and its vectors through globalization and climate change, its modes of transmission, but also the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. The different types of preventive measures will be also covered. A special module will focus on possible neurological adverse effects such as the risk for birth defects (microcephaly) in pregnant women, while another one will examine the peripheral nerve paralysis called the Guillain-Barré syndrome. The fact that Zika presents a significant threat to political and economic stabilities and thus reinforces social inequity through South America will be addressed. The revolution in cultural, religious, and legal norms in front of the expansion of Zika will be also debated. Finally, the last two modules will state the role, recommendations and response measures of policy makers and public health organizations under the light of medias.

Outline

Introducing Zika virus, its vectors and its hosts
Welcome to this MOOC!
1.1 Emergence of Zika virus and its different hosts and vectors - Interview with Prof. Duane Gubler
1.2 Cycle of Zika virus and its vector-travelling togetherInterview with Dr. Anna-Bella Failloux
1.3 What about sexual transmission of Zika virus and persistency? - Interview with Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove
Extra - Multi Aedes: mosquito in many places and host of many viruses - Interview with Prof. Patrice Bourée
Helpful websites regarding the Zika phenomenon
Recommended readings
Recommended video links
Introducing Zika virus, its vectors and its hosts

Following the tracks of Zika virus
2.1 Globalization and increased mosquito preference for humans: a never-ending love story? - Interview with Dr. Frédéric Simard
2.2 Climate, vectors, and virus: a long-term love story - Interview with Ass. Prof. Aline Philibert
2.3 El Niño or La Niña may influence Aedes distribution time - Interview with Prof. Antoine Flahault
2.4 Introduction of Zika outbreak in Brazil - Interview with Prof. Aluisio Cotrim Segurado
2.5 Particularities of Zika introduction in Brazil - Interview with Prof. Paolo Zanotto
Extra - Networking between laboratories to better counteract Zika virus - Interview with Prof. Paolo Zanotto
Recommended readings
Recommended video links
Following the tracks of Zika virus

Prevention and control
3.1 Historical Perspectives on the Suppression and Eradication of Aedes aegypti in the Americas - Interview with Prof. James Webb
3.2 Who and how to protect the persons at the frontline of virus emergence? - Interview with Dr. Frédéric Simard
3.3 How can we protect ourselves from Zika? - Interview with Prof. Patrice Bourée
3.4 Molecular analysis of insecticide resistance in major mosquito vectors: from mechanisms to resistance management - Interview with Prof. John Vontas
3.5 Wolbachia infections in mosquitoes to control Zika - Interview with Prof. Scott O'Neill
Extra - Extra activities to better prevent and care epidemics in French Guyana - Interview with Prof. Patrice Bourée
Extra - New research on vector control - Interview with Ass. Prof. John Vontas
Recommended readings
Recommended video links
Prevention and control

Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
4.1 Types of known diagnosis and their challenges Interview with Prof. Patrice Bourée
4.2 Paradox between strong technology and limitation in clinical investigation - Interview with Prof. Laurent Kaiser
4.3 Challenges for clinical and biochemical diagnosis - Interview with Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove
4.4 Diagnostic challenges during Zika epidemic in Brazil - Interview with Prof. Ester Sabino
4.5 Vaccine, where are we? - Interview with Dr. Paulo Lee Ho
4.6 Experience from Dengue vaccine, a blessing for Zika research - Interview with Dr. In-Kyu Yoon
Recommended readings
Recommended video links
Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Zika and neurological adverses effects
5.1 Zika and microcephaly: a brain-busting puzzle game for gynecologists and pediatricians - Interview with Prof. Olivier Picone
5.2 How we discovered Zika was related to microcephaly in North-eastern Brazil - Interview with Dr. Patricia Jungmann
5.3 Burden of Zika laid on the shoulders of Brazilian women - Interview with Prof. Aluisio Cotrim Segurado
5.4 A new nightmare for pregnant women in Brazil - Interview with Prof. Laura Rodrigues
5.5 Neurologic Complications of Flaviviruses - Interview with Prof. Tom Solomon
5.6 Zika and Guillain-Barré Syndrome: case of French Polynesia - Interview with Prof. Arnaud Fontanet
Extra - Opportunity of online university training on virology and gynecology - Interview with Prof. Olivier Picone
Recommended readings
Recommended video links
Zika and neurological adverses effects

Inequity in front of Zika exposure and outcomes
6.1 Anthropological perspective of the health crisis of Zika - Interview with Dr. Serge Rabier
6.2 The rapid increase of Aedes in poor urban settings in Northern Brazil - Interview with Prof. Helena Ribeiro
6.3 Abortion and contraception challenges for women in Brazil - Interview with Dr. Ester Sabino
6.4 Relation between microcephaly and sexual reproduction in Brazil - Interview with Dr. Flávia Bulegon Pilecco
Recommended readings
Recommended video links
Inequity in front of Zika exposure and outcomes

How do deal with Zika: WHO and international health organizations' perspectives
7.1 How Zika became as a public health emergency of international concern? - Interview with Prof. David Heymann
7.2 Drawing lessons from Ebola to prepare roadmap for future epidemicsInterview with Dr. Marie-Paule Kieny
7.3 Zika and international health regulations - Interview with Dr. Sylvie Briand
7.4 Working all together to reach the unknownInterview with Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove
7.5 How lessons learnt from the past can bring us near to the unknown of Zika - Interview with Dr. In-Kyu Yoon
Recommended readings
Recommended video links
How do deal with Zika: WHO and international health organizations' perspectives

The Zika phenomenon through medias and economical & political challenges
8.1 Epidemics and medias - Interview with Dr. Paul Benkimoun
8.2 Message and origin of information - Interview with Dr. Paul Benkimoun
8.3 A complete picture of the Zika phenomenon through medias - Interview with Dr. Jean-Yves Nau
8.4 Zika, medias and transparency - Interview with Margaret Harris
8.5 Popular involvement and raise of public awareness - Interview with Dr. Anneliese Depoux
8.6 Prevention and popular education parts of the public sphere: various types of commitments - Interview with Dr. Anneliese Depoux
8.7 Economic dimensions of the Zika phenomenon - Interview with Dr. Josselin Thuilliez
Extra - New app of WHO for Zika - Interview with Margaret Harris
References for video "Popular involvement and raise of public awareness"
References for video "Prevention and popular education parts of the public sphere: various types of commitments"
References for video "Extra - New app of WHO for Zika"
Recommended readings
Recommended video links
The Zika phenomenon through medias and economical & political challenges

Summary of User Reviews

Discover the basics of the Zika virus and its impact on public health. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the virus, its symptoms, transmission, and prevention methods. Users highly appreciate the course's interactive content that makes learning enjoyable and memorable.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

interactive content

Pros from User Reviews

Well-structured and informative course material
Engaging and interactive content that makes learning fun
Expert instructors with vast knowledge in the subject matter

Cons from User Reviews

Some users found the course too basic and lacking in advanced information
A few users reported technical glitches in the course
Not enough emphasis on the social and economic impact of the Zika virus

languageEnglish

start dateAvailable now

durationApprox. 13 hours to complete

teacherAntoine Flahault, Aline Philibert (In Partnership with UNIGE), Arnaud Fontanet (in Partnership with UNIGE), Henri-Jean Philippe (In Partnership with UNIGE)

institutionUniversity of Geneva

course taken onCoursera

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In the footsteps of Zika… approaching the unknown

Welcome ! Welcome to this on-demand MOOC “In the footsteps of Zika… approaching the unknown”. This MOOC has been produced by Université de Genève (www....

Save Course