WHO Says Zika Virus Likely to Spread Across Asia

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37615427

Singapore has already had reports of hundreds of cases of the disease. There have also been two confirmed reports in Thailand of Zika-linked microcephaly. The WHO director, Margaret Chan, has stated that the organisation is still looking for a way to deal the virus. The spread of Zika has huge implications for the nations which it is currently affecting. Firstly, it is requiring and will continue to require large amounts of government funding to go towards caring for those affected by the virus. These are primarily babies born with the virus, and pregnant mothers who already have it or are at risk of infection (thus bearing the risk of giving birth to infants with birth defects). One cannot help but wonder how equitable the access to healthcare resources and treatment for all of those affected will be, particularly to resources which are publicly funded. I also wonder what else the funds could and would have been used for in the absence of such a case. Perhaps the beneficiaries of the aid now would not necessarily have profited from it to the same extent as they may be doing now.

This particular headline caught my eye because it made me think of the effects that this virus could have on the generation currently being born. Depending on the severity of potential birth defects, and the percentage of that generation which will be affected by it, it could have significant negative consequences on the future workforce, even if it is not the majority who are affected by it.