Zika News

 → November 23rd, 2020

Eliminating fake zika news with pharmacist, nurse, and physician review.

Zika Breaking News

Nov 20 • 6:22 am CST

African Mosquitoes Spread Less Zika Virus

Why hasn't the Zika virus (ZIKV) disease caused as much devastation in Africa, its continent of origin, as it has in the Americas? Outside of Africa, this flavivirus is transmitted by a ubiquitous mosquito subspecies, Aedes aegypti aegypti.

New experiments published in Science on November 20, 2020, revealed that African mosquitoes transmitted a smaller virus inoculum than the South American insects.

Nov 17 • 2:19 am CST

Naturally Derived and Nontoxic Chemical Fights Off Mosquitoes

The USA has taken substantial actions to fight against vector-borne diseases such as Zika. During August of 2020, the US Environmental Protection Agency approved a new chemical called nootkatone for use in repellants that could help the world better fight insect-borne diseases.

Nootkatone kills biting pests in a unique way, different from other insecticides already registered by the EPA, including pyrethroids, organophosphates, carbamates, and cyclodienes.

Unlike many other repellents and pesticides, nootkatone is naturally derived and is nontoxic to humans and other mammals. Additionally, nootkatone does not lose its potency after a few hours on the skin like many other naturally derived repellents.

Jay C. Butler, M.D., Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases at the U.S. CDC stated on August 10, 2020: “Providing new alternatives to existing bite-prevention methods paves the way to solving one of biggest challenges in preventing vector-borne diseases—preventing bites.”

Nov 6 • 4:33 am CST

Where Aedes Mosquitoes Fly, Zika Is Close Behind

Although the Zika epidemics in the Americas are now history, the Zika virus may re-emerge “in many countries in silence,” commented Sujan Shresta, Ph.D., a professor at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI). “We need to develop effective Zika vaccines.”

In a new study published by Science Advances on November 4, 2020, Shresta and her colleagues at LJI report that the immune system’s T cells have the power to prevent Zika infection in mice. This finding suggests that effective Zika vaccines need to activate T cells to work alongside antibodies.

The research team at LJI found that the vaccine strategy could induce a strong immunity against a potentially lethal Zika virus infection by inducing mainly CD8+ T cells, also called “killer” T cells, against the virus. The vaccine also prevented Zika transmission through the placenta from mother to fetus in pregnant mice.

Nov 2 • 11:06 am CST

Reemergence of Zika in Brazil During 2020

Since the emergence in Brazil in 2015, manifestations of Zika virus (ZIKV) infections range from asymptomatic to severe neurological complications, including Guillain Barré Syndrome (GBS) in adults and microcephaly in newborns via transplacental transmission, reported a September 17, 2020 study published in The Journal of Travel Medicine.

A recent ZIKV-associated GBS case highlights the ongoing importance of vigilance in residents and travelers to regions with prior ZIKV outbreaks, particularly outside typical arboviral seasons.

Oct 27 • 2:12 pm CDT

Puerto Rico Reports 67 Probable Zika Cases

The Puerto Rico Health Department reported on October 6, 2020, there have been (67) probable Zika virus cases reported during 2020. The vast majority of these Zika cases have been confirmed surrounding the capital city of San Juan. 

mosquito Africa’s Mosquitoes Dislike Zika Virus Zika virus susceptibility of globally invasive Aedes aegypti populations
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science lab Zika Vaccines Should Activate T Cells and Antibodies La Jolla Institute for Immunology researchers report immune system T cells can prevent Zika infection in mice
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belly of a pregnant women with the sun shining on it These Genes Reduce Placenta's Protection From the Zika Virus Genetic factors can make a women’s placenta less capable of protecting a fetus from Zika infection
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mosquito biting a person Spatial Repellents Significantly Reduce Zika Infections SC Johnson Mosquito Shield’s active ingredient is Transfluthrin
baby shower party for boy Risk of Zika Virus Vertical Transmission Reported at 47% Zika virus vaccines continue early stage studies
young infant sleeping in crib Breast Milk Found Protective Against Zika Breastfeeding represents an important mother-to-child transmission route of health benefits
puerto rico fort on the water The Americas Vastly Under-Counted Zika Cases Puerto Rico continues reporting local Zika virus cases in 2020
Nicaragua river bank Dengue and Zika Co-Infection Leads to a ‘Double-Whammy’ Prior Zika infection does significantly increase your risk of severe forms of dengue disease
pregnant mom holding hands with husband Zika Vaccine Development Using Self-Amplifying Messenger RNA Zika vaccine candidate VRC5283 provided protection from ZIKV challenge in mice
woman scientist working in a lab Zika Antiviral Therapy Candidate Identified Hercules Pharmaceuticals AhR inhibitor HP163 reduces viral replication in animals infected with Zika virus
young baby Zika-Infected Infants Display Various Clinical Manifestations Head circumference is a measure of In Utero Zika Virus exposure
pregnant mom looking at her babies crib Brazil’s Zika Epidemic Worsens Zika infection during pregnancy can cause congenital conditions in infants
pregnant on beach Only One US Territory Reported Zika Cases in 2020 Puerto Rico has confirmed locally acquired Zika cases
mother holding her baby Zika Virus Can Spread Vaginally  Zika virus particles were able to successfully enter vaginal epithelial cells through the UFO receptor
sunset over the beach Zika is an Under-Recognized Clinical Entity Zika virus infection can result in atypical disease leading to severe outcomes
pregnant lady on beach in Puerto rico Are Pregnant Women Aware of Zika Risks?
mosquito biting an arm Zika Vaccine Study Presents Very Positive Results
sunny california beach at sunset Zika Carrying Mosquitoes ‘Wiped-Out’ In California
dog laying down Zika Virus Can Combat Central Nervous System Tumors
toddler with toy bear Skin Cells Might Protect People From Zika Infection
young baby hand Birth Defects Potentially Related to Zika Infection Increased 4x During Early 2017
mom holding an infants feet Perfection Should Not Be The Goal For Zika Vaccines
young child testing on an ipad Zika’s Undetected Long-Term Impact on Children
Zika Returned to the USA in 2019
new born baby healthy Pre-Pregnancy DNA Vaccination Protected Monkeys From Zika
mom and happy baby on a beach Pregnant Women May Need Higher Dosages of Zika Vaccines
healthy new born baby NS1 DNA Vaccination Found Protective Against Zika
orechestra leader How Do Zika Viruses Assemble During an Infection
dad holding the hand of his toddler Zika-Exposed Children Challenged with Motor Developmental Delays
pregant women in the field new mountains Zika Testing Guidelines Updated
healthy young baby sleeping Mutated Genes Were Never Associated With Zika
world globe Scientist Predicted France’s Locally-Acquired Zika Cases
map of california and Mexico Are California’s Zika Cases Coming From Mexico?
nice france France Confirms 3rd Local Zika Case
little baby hand on the blanket Zika Infection Reduced Infant Receptive-Language Skills

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