ANN ARBOR, MI—The International Institute at the University of Michigan presents the II Round Table panel discussion Zika Virus: How Big a Threat? Tuesday, March 22, 2016 from 4:00-5:30 p.m. at 1636 School of Social Work, 1080 S. University Ave., Ann Arbor. The event is free and open to the public. It will be live-streamed at ii.umich.edu. Follow @iimichigan live on Twitter #IIRoundTable. An audience Q&A follows the presentation.

For the past several months, the mosquito-borne Zika Virus has emerged as a global public health threat in Latin America and beyond. It is associated with microcephaly in newborns and potentially connected to cases of paralysis in adults. Recent scientific studies suggest that Zika can be spread through sexual contact (via semen) and blood transfusions. This roundtable convenes experts in epidemiology, obstetrics and gynecology, and Brazilian public health to provide accurate and up-to-date information on the current status of the virus. In addition to explaining science and public health, this roundtable will consider how Zika is affecting pregnant women and women of conceptive age, as well as challenging strict abortion laws in Latin America.

The panelists are:

  • Alexandra Minna Stern (moderator): Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Director, Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies; Brazil Initiative; Department of American Culture, U-M
  • Marilia Carvalho: Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • Mark Chames: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, U-M
  • Aubree Gordon: Department of Epidemiology, U-M
  • Mark Wilson: Department of Epidemiology, U-M