• Jennifer J K Rasanathan, Sarah MacCarthy, Debora Diniz, Els Torreele, and Sofia Gruskin.
• Jennifer J. K. Rasanathan is with the Public Health Program, Open Society Foundations, New York, NY. Sarah MacCarthy is with Rand Corporation, Santa Monica, CA. Debora Diniz is with the Faculty of Law, University of Brasília, Brasília DF, Brazil. Els Torreele is with Access to Medicines and Innovation, Public Health Program, Open Society Foundations. Sofia Gruskin is with the Keck School of Medicine, Gould School of Law, and Program on Global Health and Human Rights, Institute for Global Health, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
• Am J Public Health. 2017 Apr 1; 107 (4): 525-531.

AbstractIn late 2015, an increase in the number of infants born with microcephaly in poor communities in northeast Brazil prompted investigation of antenatal Zika infection as the cause. Zika now circulates in 69 countries, and has affected pregnancies of women in 29 countries. Public health officials, policymakers, and international organizations are considering interventions to address health consequences of the Zika epidemic. To date, public health responses have focused on mosquito vector eradication, sexual and reproductive health services, knowledge and technology including diagnostic test and vaccine development, and health system preparedness. We summarize responses to date and apply human rights and related principles including nondiscrimination, participation, the legal and policy context, and accountability to identify shortcomings and to offer suggestions for more equitable, effective, and sustainable Zika responses.

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