Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 3, 2026
Zika Virus Infectious Cell Culture System and the In Vitro Prophylactic Effect of Interferons
Published on: August 23, 2016
The Zika Virus Outbreak in Brazil: Knowledge Gaps and Challenges for Risk Reduction
Claudia Garcia Serpa Osorio-de-Castro1, Elaine Silva Miranda1, Carlos Machado de Freitas1
1Claudia Garcia Serpa Osorio-de-Castro is with the Departamento de Política de Medicamentos e Assistência Farmacêutica, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Elaine Silva Miranda is with the Departamento de Farmácia e Administração Farmacêutica, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niteroi, Brazil. Carlos Machado de Freitas is with the Centro de Estudos e Pesquisas em Emergências e Desastres em Saúde, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Rio de Janeiro. Kenneth Rochel de Camargo Jr is with the Departamento de Planejamento e Administração em Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro. Hilarie H. Cranmer is with the Department of Global Health and Population, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA.
Abstract:
We analyzed uncertainties and complexities of the Zika virus outbreak in Brazil, and we discuss risk reduction for future emergencies. We present the public health situation in Brazil and concurrent determinants of the epidemic and the knowledge gaps that persist despite building evidence from research, making public health decisions difficult. Brazil has adopted active measures, but producing desired outcomes may be uncertain because of partial or unavailable information. Reducing population group vulnerabilities and acting on environmental issues are medium- to long-term measures. Simultaneously dealing with information gaps, uncontrolled disease spread, and vulnerabilities is a new risk scenario and must be approached decisively to face emerging biothreats.
