TIS MUN 2024

Committee: World Health Organization (WHO).

Chairs: Ahmad Al Jandali, Yasmin Almutlak.
Agenda: Zika Virus Outbreak

1. Committee Introduction:

The World Health Organization (WHO) stands as the world's leading authority on
international public health, serving as a specialized agency of the United Nations.
Established in 1948, the WHO's core mission is to promote health, maintain global
safety from infectious diseases, and serve the most vulnerable populations. This
dedication translates into a multifaceted approach encompassing the coordination of
global health efforts, the provision of technical assistance to member states, and the
establishment of international health standards that guide disease prevention, detection,
and response.
Our Committee addresses a pressing public health concern – the recent outbreak of the
Zika virus. This mosquito-borne flavivirus has emerged as a significant threat,
particularly in the Americas, and its rapid spread necessitates a coordinated, global
response. Throughout our committee, we will delve into the current state of the Zika
virus outbreak, explore potential solutions and preventative measures, and
collaboratively develop a comprehensive action plan to combat this public health
challenge. By leveraging the expertise and resources within this committee, we aim to
mitigate the impact of the Zika virus and safeguard the health and well-being of
populations worldwide.

2. Agenda Background:

The Zika virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus, belonging to the same family of viruses as
dengue fever. While the infection often presents with mild symptoms like fever, rash,
joint pain, and conjunctivitis, the most concerning aspect of Zika lies in its impact on
pregnant women and their fetuses.
The primary mode of transmission for the Zika virus occurs through the bite of infected
Aedes mosquitos, known for their aggressive daytime feeding patterns. These
mosquitos are prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, with the recent outbreak
heavily impacting countries in the Americas.

However, the true public health concern surrounding Zika arises from the potential birth
defects it can cause in newborns when a pregnant woman contracts the virus. Zika
infection during pregnancy has been linked to microcephaly, a severe congenital
condition characterized by an abnormally small head size in infants. This malformation
can lead to a range of developmental issues, including intellectual disability, hearing
loss, and vision problems.

The emergence and rapid spread of Zika within these geographically vulnerable regions
necessitate a swift and coordinated global response to mitigate the potential
consequences for expecting mothers and their newborns. This committee aims to
address this critical public health challenge by fostering collaboration and developing
effective strategies to combat the Zika virus outbreak.

3. Previous Actions:

While the Zika virus outbreak is a recent public health concern, several significant
international efforts have been undertaken to combat its spread and mitigate its impact.
Some key actions include:

● World Health Organization (WHO):

○ February 1, 2016: Declared the Zika virus outbreak a Public Health
Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). This triggered a global
response with increased focus on research, resource allocation, and
international collaboration.
○ Issued guidelines: The WHO published guidelines on vector control
(targeting Aedes mosquitos), disease surveillance, clinical management of
Zika cases, and risk communication strategies aimed at informing the
public and healthcare professionals.
● Pan American Health Organization (PAHO):
○ Technical Assistance: PAHO, as the regional WHO office for the
Americas, provided crucial support to affected countries. This included
deploying technical experts, mobilizing funding of $9.4 million USD (as of
August 2016), and facilitating the sharing of best practices for surveillance,
diagnosis, and prevention measures.
 ○ Regional Response Coordination: PAHO coordinated regional efforts,
bringing together affected countries to develop a unified approach and
optimize resource allocation.

● National Public Health Agencies:

○ Vector Control Programs: Many affected countries intensified mosquito
control efforts. This included:
■ Insecticide spraying: The use of insecticides like pyrethroids to
target adult mosquito populations. (e.g., Brazil deployed over
230,000 military personnel for large-scale spraying campaigns in
2016)
■ Source reduction: Eliminating mosquito breeding grounds by
removing stagnant water sources like discarded tires, containers,
and clogged gutters.
■ Promotion of protective measures: Public health campaigns
encouraged the use of bed nets, insect repellent containing DEET,
IR3535, or Icaridin, and protective clothing, particularly for pregnant
women and young children.

● Research Initiatives:
● A global scientific effort was launched to accelerate the development of a Zika
vaccine. By 2 to 4 years after the PHEIC declaration in 2016, several promising
vaccine candidates entered Phase II clinical trials. These vaccines utilized
different platforms, including live-attenuated, DNA, and mRNA technologies.
○ The most advanced candidate was the live-attenuated Zika vaccine
developed by the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) in the
United States. This vaccine showed promising immunogenicity and safety
results in Phase II trials conducted in 2017.
○ However, further development stalled due to several factors, including
declining Zika cases, funding limitations, and logistical challenges in
conducting large-scale Phase III trials. As of 2023, there is no
commercially available Zika vaccine.

● Financial Commitments:
○ The United States government, for instance, requested $1.9 billion USD in
emergency funding to support Zika response efforts in 2016. This funding
aimed to support research, vector control programs, and improve maternal
health services in affected regions.
○ The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation committed $100 million USD to
accelerate the development of a Zika vaccine in 2016.
 ○ The Brazilian government invested heavily in its national response,
allocating an additional $2.8 billion USD for Zika control and response
measures in 2016.

These international efforts laid the groundwork for further collaboration and the
development of a more comprehensive response to the Zika virus outbreak. This
committee aims to build upon these actions and establish a coordinated plan to
effectively combat the spread of the virus and safeguard public health.

4. Possible Actions and Solutions:

The recent Zika virus outbreak necessitates a multifaceted approach to effectively

control its spread and mitigate its impact. Our committee aims to explore, study,
prioritize, and authorize potential solutions. Some key areas for consideration include:

● Strengthened Vector Control Programs:

○ Integrated Mosquito Management: Implement strategies combining
various methods to target Aedes mosquitos, the primary Zika virus vector.
This could include:
■ Larvicide application: Applying larvicides to kill mosquito larvae in
their breeding grounds (e.g., stagnant water sources).
■ Insecticide spraying: Targeting adult mosquito populations with
insecticides like pyrethroids, while adhering to safety guidelines and
considering potential environmental impacts.
■ Habitat modification: Eliminating or modifying mosquito breeding
grounds by removing stagnant water sources and promoting
community clean-up initiatives.
■ Biological control methods: Exploring the use of natural
predators or bacteria that target mosquito populations.
○ Community Engagement: Promote active community participation in
vector control efforts through public awareness campaigns and
capacity-building initiatives.
● Vaccine Development and Deployment:
○ Continued Research: continuing research and development efforts to
bring a safe and effective Zika vaccine to fruition; Exploring various
vaccine platforms (e.g., live-attenuated, mRNA) and prioritizing those
demonstrating promising results in clinical trials.
 ○ Funding and Collaboration: By encouraging international collaboration
and resource allocation to accelerate vaccine development, equitable
access for affected populations is ensured.
● Improved Family Planning and Sexual Health Services:
○ Expand Access: Increase access to family planning services and
contraception in regions with high Zika risk. This empowers women to
make informed reproductive choices and reduce the risk of Zika
transmission through sexual contact.
○ Safe Sex Education: Implement educational campaigns promoting safe
sexual practices as a crucial preventive measure against Zika
transmission.
● Enhanced Surveillance and Case Management:
○ Strengthened Surveillance Systems: Invest in surveillance systems to
effectively monitor Zika virus activity, identify potential outbreaks early, and
track the geographic spread of the virus.
○ Improved Diagnostic Capacity: Ensure widespread availability of
reliable diagnostic tests for Zika virus infection to facilitate timely
identification and case management.
○ Prenatal Care and Support: Provide comprehensive prenatal care for
pregnant women in affected regions, including Zika testing, counselling,
and access to specialists for managing high-risk pregnancies.
● Public Awareness and Risk Communication:
○ Targeted Communication Campaigns: By launch targeted public
awareness campaigns tailored to different demographics, particularly
women of childbearing age. These campaigns should emphasize
preventive measures like mosquito bite avoidance, the use of repellents,
and safe sexual practices.
○ Culturally Appropriate Messaging: Ensure communication materials are
culturally sensitive and accessible to diverse communities, fostering
understanding and promoting behaviour change.
● Long-Term Management:
○ Develop Comprehensive Care Plans: through the establishment of
comprehensive care plans to address the long-term needs of children born
with microcephaly and other Zika-related birth defects. This may include
access to early intervention programs, physical and occupational therapy,
and specialized education services.
○ Support Systems for Families: Provide support systems for families
affected by Zika, including psychosocial counselling and access to social
services to help them cope with the challenges associated with caring for
children with disabilities.
By prioritizing these potential actions and fostering international collaboration, the world
can effectively combat the Zika virus outbreak, safeguard public health, and minimize
the long-term consequences of this emerging infectious disease.

5. Defining of Key Words:

● Zika virus
○ is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause severe birth defects in babies
born to infected mothers. The outbreak of Zika virus in recent years has
raised concerns worldwide due to its potential impact on public health and
the need for effective prevention measures.
● Microcephaly
○ is a condition characterized by abnormally small heads in newborns,
which has been linked to Zika virus infection during pregnancy. This has
led to increased efforts in research and development of vaccines to
combat the spread of the virus and protect vulnerable populations.
● Vector-borne disease
○ Like Zika virus, they are transmitted to humans through the bites of
infected mosquitoes, making prevention efforts such as mosquito control
crucial in reducing the spread of the disease. Public health campaigns
emphasizing the importance of using insect repellent and wearing
protective clothing have also been implemented to help prevent Zika virus
transmission.
● Aedes mosquito
○ Is a species, which are known to carry the Zika virus, are also responsible
for transmitting other diseases such as dengue and chikungunya.
Therefore, controlling the population of Aedes mosquitoes is essential in
preventing outbreaks of multiple vector-borne diseases.
● Seroprevalence (the percentage of a population that has antibodies to a
specific virus, indicating prior exposure)
○ Studies have shown that a significant portion of the population in areas
affected by Zika virus has been exposed to the virus. This information can
 help public health officials understand the extent of the outbreak and tailor
interventions accordingly.

6. Bibliography:

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/zika-virus#:~:text=Key%2
0facts,last%20for%202%E2%80%937%20days.
https://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/zika/about/index.html
https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/more/health-features/zika-virus-facts-and-resou
rces
https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/infections/arboviruses-arenaviruses-fil
oviruses/zika-virus-infection
https://www.paho.org/en/topics/zika#:~:text=In%20February%202016%2C
%20the%20World,is%20endemic%20in%20the%20Americas.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5343716/