In light of the recent news that Zika virus could stay in semen for more than six months ― twice as long as scientists previously though the virus could be detected ― it’s time for the United States to ramp up its focus on the major mechanism for Zika virus…
Zika and Chikungunya Viruses Threaten Public Health
This month, the World Health Organization declared the Zika virus to be a public health emergency. Health officials suspect that Zika is linked to birth defects, including microcephaly, a condition that prevents a baby’s brain and skull from developing properly. Another virus that is spreading rapidly, Chikungunya, can cause chronic…
Sexually Transmitted Zika Highlights Brazil’s Rampant Inequality
On Friday, scientists detected Zika virus in both urine and saliva for the first time, classifying the virus in the bodily fluid samples as “active.” That means the fluid samples are capable of transmitting Zika. This finding, coupled with recent reports of a sexually transmitted Zika case in Texas, indicates that…