Texas researchers find mutation in Zika virus that could launch outbreak

GALVESTON, Texas (KXAN) — Researchers in Texas have discovered a single mutation within the Zika virus, which they mentioned may result in a “main outbreak.”

Researchers with the College of Texas Medical Department and La Jolla Institute for Immunology led a examine collectively and made the invention, in accordance with college officers.

The examine mentioned with this single mutation, the “already quickly evolving Zika virus” may bypass current immunity.

The college defined one of many methods the virus can unfold is thru the chunk of an contaminated mosquito. Proper now, there’s no vaccine or medication for Zika.

The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention mentioned the virus may be handed from a pregnant lady to her fetus. This could trigger beginning defects.

Many individuals who contract the virus gained’t have signs or will solely have delicate signs, together with a fever, rash, headache, joint ache, pink eyes and muscle ache, the CDC mentioned.

Proper now within the continental U.S., the CDC mentioned there’s no present transmission of Zika. The final reported instances of the virus transmitted by mosquitoes within the nation have been in Florida and Texas in 2016 and 2017.

The complete examine on the Zika virus mutation is revealed on-line.