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            Scientists Discuss Vaccines, Other Weapons in Zika Fight

   by Lisa Schlein

   International scientists and experts meeting at the World Health
   Organization agree on the urgency of developing vaccines and diagnostic
   tools to combat the Zika virus, which is being linked to microcephaly,
   a brain disorder in newborn babies.

   The three-day consultation is the first time experts in the fields of
   virology, immunology and related fields have come together to take
   stock of the state of Zika research and development and to see how
   product development can be accelerated.

   The Zika virus is a generally mild, harmless infection.  But its
   possible association with microcephaly, as seen in an upsurge of
   thousands of cases in Brazil, is making the need to develop diagnostic
   and preventive tools a matter of urgency.

   WHO Assistant Director-General in charge of Zika Research and
   Development Marie-Paule Kieny says researchers are responding
   vigorously to this need.  She says more than 60 groups are working on
   diagnostics, vaccines, therapeutics, and vector control.

   She says vaccine development is still at an early stage and months from
   human clinical trials.

   "It is therefore possible that vaccines may come late for the current
   Latin American outbreak, but the development of a vaccine remains an
   imperative, and in particular vaccines suitable for pregnant women and
   women of child bearing age," said Kieny.

   On the other hand, Kieny says Zika diagnostic development is at a more
   advanced stage.  She adds the experts agree on the value of producing a
   multiplex test that can diagnose several infections that are spread by
   the Aedes aegypti mosquito, including dengue, chikungunya and Zika
   viruses.

   Vector control experts say there is no evidence classical
   interventions, such as insecticide spraying, has had any significant
   impact on stopping the spread of dengue.

   Since the same may be true for Zika, they recommend individuals in
   communities take greater personal control over getting rid of the
   disease-bearing mosquitoes by spraying inside their homes and removing
   stagnant water where they breed.
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   pons-in-zika-fight/3227717.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/scientists-discuss-vaccines-other-weapons-in-zika-fight/3227717.html