Abstract
The emergency of the Zika virus outbreak, with the risk of a presumed congenital syndrome and other events connected with its neurotropism, as well as unequal access to diagnostic and health care resources for the affected present a scenario with several ethical concerns. This paper discusses three ethical issues related to the Zika virus infection. The first one refers to the relationship between Brazilian states in a particular geopolitical context of “public health emergency of international concern”. The second one covers the balance between individual freedom and rights, and the need for State intervention. The third one refers to women's right to choose abortion, and to the assistance for a legion of children with neuropathic syndromes and their families. To cope with a possible pandemic disease in a world without boundaries, we should set up international cooperative teams, deal with different cultural approaches regarding the balance between individual and collective rights, and the consequences to assistance and public policies.
Keywords:
Bioethics; Zika virus infection; Communicable diseases, emerging; Global health; Brazil; Public health policy; Internationality