In an effort to fight the outbreak of the Brazilian virus called Zika, Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s Google, has partnered with UNICEF in order to try and map out the outbreak and places of potential outbreaks of the Zika virus.
It also donated a $1 million grant to the UN branch which deals with children, UNICEF, in order for it to raise awareness of the virus and support development of diagnostics and vaccines. This is seen as a step forward in combating the virus which has plagued Brazil for long and is now a possible worldwide threat.
Zika is a virus transmitted by the daytime-active mosquitoes and its name comes from Uganda where it was first discovered. It is also related to other viruses such as the West Nile, Japanese encephalitis, Yellow fever and Dengue fever.
Google offered volunteers comprising of engineers, designers and data scientists who have been tasked to work with UNICEF in unison in an effort to try and help and identify risk of transmission and see where interested parties and affected parties can channel their resources and effort in. google also explains that in its initial stage the tool is meant for the Zika virus but would not stop it from forecasting other disease outbreaks also in future.
Google has also gone a step further in its bid to help with the virus by trying to raise awareness through one of its other subsidiaries, YouTube, and in collaboration with stars and celebrities are trying to make awareness videos. This can only be good for the world as we try to combat yet another pandemic disease that might just be around the world. The Zika virus is one of a couple viruses that have been troubling the world namely the Ebola virus and HIV.
Google also offers sidebar views on information about the drug on its search site and with this partnership they will increase the awareness and at least increase the knowledge of people about the virus. “As a company whose mission is helping people find information, with a lot of experience in analysing large sets of data, we’re in good position to help-at scale and at speed.” Claims Google.org director Jacqueline Fuller
This is good news for all of us to see big companies like these get involved in a bid to make the world a better place.
's Google, has partnered with UNICEF in order to try and map out the outbreak and places of potential outbreaks of the Zika virus.){kind=link}