(Taiwan English News/Huang Ziti Comprehensive Report) Is the Zika virus, which was so disturbing in 2016, about to make a comeback? Experts warn that while the world is fighting against the new crown pneumonia (COVID-19), we must not forget that many viruses have the possibility of mutation and the potential to cause the next public health crisis.
according toBBC, Zika virus is spread through mosquito bites, sexual behavior, blood transfusion, etc., and is prevalent in the Americas and Asia. Most patients are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, no lasting sequelae, and low mortality. Symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, headache, eye socket pain, muscle pain, nausea, etc., similar to dengue fever. The average person is fine, but if a pregnant woman is unfortunately infected, the chance of giving birth to a fetus with microcephaly is greatly increased.
La Jolla Institute for Immunology in Californiacell reportThe study in the journal Cell Reports pointed out that the Zika virus is prone to mutation. Once a mutant strain appears, even countries that have previously obtained herd immunity may not be able to resist a new wave of epidemics.
Scientists have found that when the Zika virus was passed from mosquito cells to laboratory mice in the laboratory, some genetic changes occurred. This means that it is easy to mutate the Zika virus, which helps it reproduce and spread, and even animals that have been infected with dengue will not initiate a cross-immune protection response.
Experts said that although this research is only in the laboratory area and has its limitations, it is nothing but a reminder that tracking changes in the virus should be strengthened during the epidemic season. In this way, it may be possible to predict which mutation is more likely to cause an outbreak and intervene in control.