Zika Virus

The zika virus outbreak has been covered extensively in mainstream news as of late, and for good reason. This mosquito-borne disease can cause a slew of discomforting symptoms to the average person, but there are individuals who are more at risk, like the pregnant. Birth defects and brain abnormalities are just some of the outcomes ...click here to read more

It may seem quite random that of all countries in the world Zika virus outbreak is taking place in Brazil. Why Brazil? And why now? These are some of the questions the investigator are trying to answer. Dr. Prabhjot Singh, chair of the Department of Health System Design & Global Health at the Icahn School ...click here to read more

A Zika virus urine test and portable saliva test have been found to be highly effective in diagnosing patients quickly. The urine test proved to be more effective than the standard blood test, as particles of the virus remain for longer periods of time and in higher concentrations in urine than blood. A urine test ...click here to read more

An estimated 1.65 million childbearing women could become infected with Zika virus, according to the latest research. The researchers in the U.S. and the U.K. found that across Latin America and the Caribbean over 90 million infections could result from the initial stages of the spread of Zika. The estimates are based on the sum ...click here to read more

Researchers are investigating a possible local transmission of Zika virus in Florida. If confirmed, this would be the first locally transmitted case of Zika virus in the U.S. Earlier speculations suggested that if Zika-infected mosquitoes were to enter the U.S., Florida – along with Louisiana and some other southern states – would be the first ...click here to read more

Scientists have identified Zika virus antibodies which may aid in drug and vaccine development. The experiments on mice helped spot six Zika virus antibodies, four of which neutralize African, American, and Asian strains. This is an important breakthrough that may lead to the development of a vaccine, as there is currently no medication available for ...click here to read more

Researchers suggest travelers visiting Brazil for the 2016 Summer Olympics face a low risk of Zika virus. They estimate that three to 37 athletes at most among the thousands visiting Brazil for the Games will bring Zika virus to their home country. Previously, the World Health Organization shared that travelers venturing to Brazil will not ...click here to read more

West Nile virus-transmitting Culex mosquitoes may also be carrying Zika virus, according to new findings. The scientists in Brazil found Zika virus in Culex mosquitoes, which are known to transmit West Nile virus. The findings imply a larger problem of the local spread of Zika virus across the U.S. Although Culex mosquitoes are not as ...click here to read more

Zika virus transmission routes from mother to developing fetus have been mapped, and researchers have also found a drug that may be able to block the virus spread. The two routes of transmitting Zika virus to the fetus are either through placenta – taking place in the first trimester, or through the amniotic sac that ...click here to read more

Zika virus news continues to emerge on a daily basis and so here at Bel Marra we have compiled together of our top Zika virus news stories to ensure you stay in the loop. New discoveries uncovered that Zika virus can be sexually transmitted not only from male to female but from female to male ...click here to read more

The first case of Zika virus transmitted sexually from a female to male has been reported. The New York City woman became infected while travelling abroad and infected her boyfriend during sex upon her return. Prior to this case, Zika virus was believed to be sexually transmitted only from males to females, not the other ...click here to read more

Zika virus prevention with green tea molecule epigallocatechin (EGCG) shows potential, according to research. EGCG blocks the Zika virus in the host cells – which may be beneficial at preventing Zika. The authors wrote, “The mechanism by which this inhibition occurs is probably related to the direct interaction of the drug with lipid envelope, leading ...click here to read more

Zika virus and new super bacteria pose a threat to athletes at the approaching Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Researchers are monitoring the potential Zika virus exposure risk among Olympic athletes, coaches, and other U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) members attending the 2016 Summer Olympics. Catherine Y. Spong, director of National Institute of Child Health ...click here to read more

Zika virus 2016 update: Benign bacteria were found to completely block the transmission of Zika and Chikungunya in mosquitoes and scientists developed a new model to examine the role of sex in Zika transmission. The researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that the benign bacterium known as Wolbachia pipientis can be used to block the ...click here to read more