You may want to initiate a discussion with questions such as:

• What characteristics do SARS and Zika epidemics have in common?

  They both most likely started out as small, localized outbreaks and were spread globally by travelers. Spread may have been accelerated by mutations in the virus.

• How do the biology and ecology of Zika virus and SARS virus differ?

  SARS is spread by direct contact whereas a mosquito vector transmits Zika. Bats are the animal reservoir of the SARS virus whereas no animal reservoir of the Zika virus has been identified yet.

• Using your understanding of the two viruses, how would you design an intervention for each?

  Isolating individuals who either had the disease or who had come in contact with infected individuals effectively halted the SARS epidemic. Possible ways to stop the Zika epidemic would involve eradication of the mosquito vector and clearing up trash near human habitation that serves as mosquito breeding grounds. An effective vaccine could stop both diseases.)

• Using your understanding of the two viruses, explain whether these viruses and their diseases could ever be eradicated.

  It is unlikely that SARS could ever be eradicated since the involvement of an animal reservoir makes elimination of the virus almost impossible. Since a reservoir for Zika virus has not be identified, it is not known whether eradication is possible.