Zika virus

Zika In French Polynesia: It Struck Hard In 2013, Then Disappeared

5:59pm February 09, 2016

by Jason Beaubien

The islands saw the world's largest outbreak before Brazil: 20,000 cases. It may have been linked to birth defects — research is still being done. And in 2014 it seemed to disappear.

Health & Safety

Do You Know What 'Vector' And 'Endemic' Mean? We Can Help — Sort Of

6:14am February 07, 2016

by Maanvi Singh

When it comes to talking about infectious diseases, researchers have their own special jargon. But even they aren't always 100 percent sure of the definitions.

A city health worker and a Brazilian soldier point out potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes in the city of Recife.

Health & Safety

Brazilians Have To Learn To Think Like A Mosquito

10:27am February 06, 2016

by Lourdes Garcia-Navarro

That's the advice from a biologist as Brazil launches a war on the mosquitoes that are spreading Zika virus.

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Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, says it's not clear whether Zika virus can spread through saliva.

Zika May Not Spread In Saliva Or Urine, Health Officials Say

3:40pm February 05, 2016

by Rob Stein

Discovery of Zika virus in the saliva and urine of infected people is concerning but may not mean the pathogen can actually be transmitted through those fluids, experts caution.

Mapping Zika: From A Monkey In Uganda To A Growing Global Concern

1:38pm February 05, 2016

by Marc Silver

The virus was first identified in 1947 in a rhesus monkey in the Zika Forest. Our maps show how it spread slowly at first, then last year began a rapid invasion of the Americas.

Sporadic dengue fever outbreaks in Florida in 2009 and 2010 spurred mosquito control efforts in Key West and Miami Beach, shown here. The same mosquito that carries dengue, Aedes aegypti, can transmit Zika.

Florida Governor Ramps Up Mosquito Fight To Stay Ahead Of Zika

12:33pm February 05, 2016

by Greg Allen

It's only a matter of time, Gov. Rick Scott figures, before the Zika virus shows up in Florida mosquitoes. He's called for increased spraying and other moves to keep Zika and other diseases in check.

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Which house does a better job keeping mosquitoes away? In this model set up by health workers to help prevent the spread of Zika, the one on the left appears to have less standing water, which is a magnet for mosquitoes.

Health & Safety

Carnival Gives Brazil Ideas About How To Fight Zika

7:45pm February 04, 2016

by Lourdes Garcia-Navarro

Dancing mosquitoes, songs and free condoms are part of the events designed to raise Zika consciousness.

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A patient suffering from Guillain-Barre syndrome recovers in a hospital ward in San Salvador on Jan. 27. Researchers are trying to determine whether there is a link between the disorder, which can cause weakness and paralysis, and the mosquito-borne Zika

CDC Sees Major Challenges Ahead In The Fight Against Zika

12:42pm February 04, 2016

by Jason Beaubien

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is involved on nearly every front, from diagnostics to the study of a possible link to microcephaly and Guillain-Barre syndrome.

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Sexual transmission of Zika virus has happened, scientists say, but it appears to be rare.

What We Know So Far About Sexual Transmission Of Zika Virus

11:48am February 03, 2016

by Rae Ellen Bichell

The CDC reported the first case of sexually transmitted Zika virus in the U.S. related to the current outbreak. It's happened before. Here's what we know about how the virus could move between people.

A patient at a Rio de Janeiro clinic has a blood sample taken to check for Zika and other viruses.

How Much Harm Can The Zika Virus Really Do?

8:18pm February 02, 2016

by Lourdes Garcia-Navarro

Researchers are looking into the possible link to birth defects — and suspected cases of hearing loss in adults. First they need a fast test to identify the virus.

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