The link between the Zika computer virus and the maturation of microcephaly , in which babies are born with abnormally pocket-size straits , is still not yet proven , but the grounds is steady building up . Now , for the first time , research worker have foundthe complete genome of the Zika computer virus in the mind of a fetus with microcephaly . The virus was found in what the scientists describe as an “ extremely unnatural brain , ” but not in any other organs of the aborted fetus , suggesting thatit preferentially infect the mind .
While the virus has been known since 1947 when it was first identified in Uganda , it has since diffuse around the world . After making it out of West Africa , it emerged in Asia , Micronesia , and the Philippines before finally arriving in South America , where it has been link to a spate of babies hold with microcephaly . Why it has suddenly emerged with such a devastating essence , peculiarly in Brazil , is still unknown , with researchers scrambling for response and a much - demand vaccinum .
Officials across South America are now embark on a large - shell mission to control the mosquito that distribute Zika . Conred Guatemala / Flickr CC BY - NC - ND 2.0
Reports have also been trickling in of more and more the great unwashed outside of South America being diagnose with the virus . While dynamic transmission system has so far been mainly limited to the tropics , many people returning from these country have brought the computer virus back with them . In the U.S. , there have been35 confirmed casesmostly associated with travel , whileAustralia reportedtheir first case of Zika in a pregnant womanhood this week . It is important to stress that the peril of disease transmission in these countries is still close to zero because it is preponderantly spread by only one species of mosquito , which is only feel in certain area .
In what is seemingly a trend , it appear that Zika might have been spreading around the world undetected for some metre , before the public health emergencywas declaredby the World Health Organization . In the U.K. , for example , seven peoplehave been diagnosed with Zika during the last three yr , but four of those cases were only discovered since January . A alike billet has been visualize in Australia , with one person reportedly contracting the virus in December last year , but only testing overconfident last week . Officials think that with the outbreak in South America gaining so much attention , more mass are now getting tested and finding they unknowingly have the virus .
In an effort to bucket along up inquiry into the computer virus , and encourage the sharing of knowledge , Nature has announcedit will make all paper relate to the Zika virus liberal to access until further notification . The publishing chemical group say that they have been spurred to make the decision as a resultant role of both the Ebola outbreak in 2014 and the ongoing Zika epidemic . They notice that in the context of use of public health emergencies , the sharing of all information earmark all relevant party to make the most informed decisions .
While no travel bans have been issued , public health officials are still calling on people toassess their risksbefore travel to commonwealth where contagion of the virus by mosquitoes has been confirmed . This word of advice currently only applies to pregnant women , to try and preclude them from infecting their unborn nipper . There is , however , some worry about the potential that the virus could besexually convey , and so men are give notice to use condoms for at least four weeks after travel to septic commonwealth .
