Learn About Preventing the Zika Virus – A Free Course

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The Zika virus is suspected to be the cause of cases of microcephaly in newborns in South America, and this outbreak has now been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization. With global attention towards this disease increasing rapidly, it is becoming clear that there is limited knowledge around how the carriers, or vectors, of Zika, are best avoided and controlled.

The free online course “Preventing the Zika Virus: Understanding and Controlling the Aedes Mosquito” looks at the science behind the Zika outbreak, how it is spread and how it can be controlled.

Preventing the Zika Virus – Course Content

This course includes the following topics:

The science behind the outbreak;
Where the Zika virus has come from, its symptoms, and its effect on infected individuals;
The vector primarily responsible for transmission of Zika – the Aedes mosquito;
The biology of Aedes mosquitoes, its lifecycle, behaviour, and distribution across the world;
The important role the Aedes mosquito plays in spreading Zika virus;
Without a vaccine, prevention and control relies on reducing numbers of mosquitoes and the contact they have with people;
The range of methods employed to control the Aedes mosquito, including the use, importance, and suitability of repellents, impregnated clothing, larval control, insecticide spraying, and insecticide treated nets;
The vectors of Zika virus also transmit dengue, yellow fever and the chikungunya virus, meaning there is potential to apply these techniques in other settings.

Learn together and from those on the front line in South America

Learners will come from all over the world with their own diverse experiences and interests. You will have the opportunity to exchange thoughts and ideas through course discussion, and hear first-hand accounts from experts and individuals working in the field in South America.

Requirements

This course is designed for anyone with an interest in learning about Zika virus vector control. It is relevant to workers newly drafted into vector control work, NGO employees in affected countries, students taking a healthcare or science-related degree, medical students and postgraduates wishing to complement their studies, and academic staff in aligned disciplines.

Summary of Main Course Features

Educator: James Logan
Contributors include:
- Dr Mary Cameron, Reader in Medical Entomology
- Dr Jo Lines, Reader of Malaria Control and Vector Biology
- Professor Laura Rodrigues, Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and working with the Microcephaly Epidemic Research Group in Brazil
- Professor Jimmy Whitworth, Professor of International Public Health.
Publisher: London School of Hygeine & Tropical Medicine
Starts: 4 July, 2016
Duration: 3 weeks x 4 hours per week
Certificates available