Extract
Zika virus (ZIKV), a previously known but not well-researched virus, came into the spotlight when the Brazilian Ministry of Health alerted the world to an apparent increase in congenital anomalies and neurological disease, thought to be linked to the large ZIKV outbreak across naïve areas in South and Central America. Local transmission of ZIKV was first detected in this continent early in 2015 [1]. Since then, a vast outbreak developed with suspected and confirmed cases of ZIKV infection reported from 31 countries in the Americas [2]. The widespread presence of the virus in the region unsurprisingly resulted in an increase in traveller-associated cases across the globe.
Abstract
Studies are needed to assess #Zika virus risks and to develop diagnostic tests http://ow.ly/ZaOZw
Footnotes
Conflict of interest: Disclosures can be found alongside this article at openres.ersjournals.com
- Received February 22, 2016.
- Accepted March 4, 2016.
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