Questions about Zika Zika virus disease is caused by the Zika virus, which is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito (
Aedes aegypti and
Aedes albopictus). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting up to a week, and many people do not have symptoms or will have only mild symptoms. However, Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly and other severe brain defects.
What you need to know Many areas in the United States have the type of mosquitoes that can spread Zika virus. These mosquitoes are aggressive daytime biters and can also bite at night. Also, Zika can be passed through sex from a person who has Zika to his or her sex partners.
Zika & Blood Transfusion On August 26, 2016, FDA issued revised guidance, recommending that blood centers in all states and U.S. territories screen individual units of donated whole blood and blood components with a blood screening test authorized for use by FDA under an investigational new drug (IND) application, or with a licensed test when available.
Temperatures could accelerate the success of a Zika vaccine As warmer temperatures herald annoying mosquitoes, the researchers are feverishly working on several promising vaccines against zika, a virus known to infect humans through the bite of this insect. The speed and debilitating effects of last year's zika outbreak in the Western Hemisphere generated a race to develop a vaccine. Just over a year after this pandemic was declared a global health emergency, a group of volunteers are undergoing preliminary testing.
Treatment of zika virus almost found Several scientists in the world have devoted their knowledge and efforts to obtain a medicine or vaccine that can be used in people infected with the zika virus, transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which also transmits dengue and chikungunya. The search for a chemical formula triggered laboratory alarms since the World Health Organization (WHO) issued, in early December 2015, an epidemiological alert against zika virus due to its relationship with the increase of newborns with Microcephaly. Since then, many scientific studies have been undertaken worldwide.
Zika & Animals Zika virus is transmitted to people primarily through the bite of an infected
Aedes species mosquito (
A. aegypti and
A. albopictus). These are the same mosquitoes that spread dengue and chikungunya viruses.
New vaccine for Zika that is both effective and safe Penn researchers have developed a first-of-its-kind vaccine to fight the Zika virus that demonstrates both safety and effectiveness. Participants in a clinical trial who received three doses of the GLS-5700 vaccine developed Zika-specific antibodies with minimal negative effects. These results open the door to future clinical trials and possible government approval for the vaccine. The study, which was published earlier this month in the New England Journal of Medicine, was a joint project of the Perelman School of Medicine, the Wistar Institute, Inovio Pharmaceuticals and GeneOne Life Science, Inc.
Vaccine against zika is successful in mice The successful results of the first tests of the vaccine can be tested this year in humans. A zika vaccine developed by researchers in Brazil and the United States was effective in tests with laboratory mice and could be tested this year in humans, Brazilian authorities said. The successful results of the first tests of the vaccine developed jointly by researchers from the University of Texas, the National Institute of Health of the United States and the Brazilian state center for health studies Institute Evandro Chagas, were highlighted Monday in a published article In the journal Nature Medicine.
Best repellents against mosquitoes Experts recommendations to protect us from zika and other diseases like dengue or chikungunya, which affect most of our region, is to use mosquito repellent. This, in addition to other precautions (wear clothes that cover our arms and legs, cover water tanks or swimming pools and leave no water remaining when watering the pots), will help us to keep the Aeades aegypti, the main transmitter of these diseases , at bay.
Plan for Travel If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant try to not travel to areas with Zika. If you or your partner are trying to get pregnant, consider avoiding nonessential travel to areas with Zika. Talk to your doctor or other healthcare provider about your travel plans.
Starts human trial of zika vaccine Sinergium Biotech has been investigating a safe immunization against zika virus. It is expected that this year will begin tests in humans, after obtaining good results in mice in the preclinical stage. The zika virus expands throughout the region, and in the summer the countries seek to limit the circulation of the disease, transmitted by the same mosquito as dengue.