News Medical : declared in Miami is key point for transmission of Zika virus to the US

Despite the size of the recent Zika outbreak, information regarding the evolution of the Zika virus and the epidemiology of Zika infection was scarce. Through analysis of Zika virus gene sequences, travel data and mosquito abundance data, the researchers identified Miami as a key point for Zika transmission. Genetic analysis of the strains of Zika virus reaching Florida showed that they had originated in the Caribbean. More rigorous surveillance of viral infections is thus needed to stem potential transmission of the Zika virus. The 2016 Zika outbreak was found to have been transmitted to Florida up to 40 times.

Researchers from Oxford University join colleagues on Brazil tour to test Zika virus patients (From Oxford Mail)

A MONTH-LONG tour of Brazil in a minibus has led to Oxford University researchers mapping the spread of the Zika virus for the first time. Professor Oliver Pybus said: "We generated Zika virus genomes to establish the virus' epidemic history in the Americas. The Oxford pair travelled 2,000km across northeast Brazil together with researchers from Birmingham University, testing samples from more than 1,300 infected patients. During the journey the researchers used a portable DNA sequencer known as MinION, created by university spinour company Oxford Nanopore Technologies. By carrying out genome sequencing to understand the virus's genetic make-up the team was able to track the spread of Zika across Brazil.



collected by :Lucy William
To follow all the new news about

VIRUSES and INFECTIONS