Finding Information about the Zika Virus
As the 2016 summer Olympic Games in Rio approach, athletes and fans are looking for reliable information on the Zika virus and what risks it may pose to them as they travel to Brazil. A great source for accessible information on health topics is the National Institute of Health’s MedlinePlus website, which includes easy-to-understand information on diseases, medical conditions, prescription and nonprescription drugs, and clinical trials.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s Zika Virus website includes detailed information on Zika prevention, transmission and risks, and symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. It also has specialized resources for travelers, pregnant women, healthcare providers (including clinical guidelines, testing algorithms and a Zika pregnancy registry), and even mosquito control professionals. Resources for travelers include travel notices, maps showing current Zika cases, and guidelines for travelers who plan to visit areas with Zika.
As athletes and travelers return from areas affected by the Zika virus, health professionals will also want to be prepared with current and authoritative information. The Zika Virus Health Information Resource Guide, coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is updated daily with information from both U.S. and international agencies and organizations such as the World Health Organization, the American Nurses Association, and the American Public Health Association. It also includes links to PubMed articles, and information on research and funding, clinical trials, and free resources from publishers for medical responders.
UDM students can find even more information on the Zika virus in the library’s databases. Try Academic OneFile and OmniFile Full Text for general information, and InfoTrac Newsstand for newspapers articles from around the world. Students in the health professions might want to search Ebsco databases including CINAHL, Health Source: Nursing Academic Edition, and Health Business Elite. If you still can’t find what you are looking for, make sure to ask one of our helpful librarians.
Jill Spreitzer, librarian
