Biosecurity

The Coming Trials of Generation Zika

Some four million children are born each year in the U.S., about half in areas where the mosquito species capable of carrying the Zika virus is found. If we assume that 3% of pregnant women in the U.S. will become infected over the next three years and at least 1% of children born to those mothers will be microcephalic, we can anticipate up to 20,000 microcephalic children. Humanitarian considerations aside, the estimated cost of caring for one such child over the course of his lifespan is $10 million.

The potential cost of Zika-associated microcephaly alone in the U.S. may be as high as $200 billion. This is money that won’t be invested in housing, schools or quality of life. It will also make a permanent imprint on our society.