As of 2016, the Zika virus has been known to cause microcephaly and disrupt fetal brain development. The authorities did nothing despite the doctors’ warnings. Scientists have issued a new warning regarding the dangerous mutation of the virus.
The Zika virus was declared completely harmless in 2015. A Zika infection had previously been completely harmless in millions of people. But then the news broke that in less than a year, over 4,000 babies in Brazil had been born with a birth defect. The virus was already predicted by doctors in 2016. But the authorities did nothing. Scientists are now predicting a new outbreak of the Zika virus. This might happen at any time, experts warn. The disturbing news was first reported by the DailyStar.
Zika virus epidemic alert: only a mutation separates the virus from a mega outbreak!
As a result, new research has revealed that a single mutation has the potential to start a major epidemic. Adults only contract the mosquito-borne virus. According to Britain’s Daily Star, which cites recent research, its effects on unborn children can be devastating, leading to brain damage and birth defects.
Zika infection can cause microcephaly in newborns
The virus, which is related to dengue fever, is known to cause microcephaly, characterized by a grossly undersized head, in newborns. Medicine should be on the lookout for new mutations, according to a new paper published by researchers at the Lа Jollà Institute for Immunology in California. The researchers shuttled the virus back and forth between mouse and mosquito cells multiple times in the lab, resulting in tiny changes that might lead to the emergence of a new strain.
New strain of Zika virus might evade antibodies
The scientists warn that a new virus strain might evade antibodies in populations that had previously acquired herd immunity as a result of a wave of infections. “Understanding the drivers of ZIKV evolution and using this knowledge to predict future outbreaks has been one of the greatest challenges since the ZIKV (Zika virus) explosion in America in 2015-2016,” say the researchers.
After the Zika virus outbreak, thousands of babies were born with brain damage.
Because their mothers were bitten by Zika-carrying mosquitoes while pregnant during the 2016 outbreak, thousands of babies were born with brain damage. According to the British newspaper “Daily Star”, virologists are currently working on the development of a vaccine that is intended to protect pregnant women in particular from the virus and prevent dangerous mutations.
Researchers warn that a new Zika strain might emerge that would render previous immunity useless.
“The Zika variant we identified has evolved to a point where the protective immunity of a previous dengue infection in mice is no longer effective,” warned study leader Prof. Sujan Shrestà. Unfortunately, if this variant becomes popular, we might face similar problems in the real world.”
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sba / news.de
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