“By activating TLR3, the Zika virus blocks genes that tell stem cells to develop into the various parts of the brain”, added Rana.
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Four babies born with microcephaly linked to the Zika virus have been confirmed in Panama, the health ministry said on Wednesday, out of 264 total cases of the mosquito-borne infection in the country.
And because the RNA sensors are programmable, meaning they can be designed using algorithms to target specific sequences, the technology can be quickly adjusted to test for many other types of viruses. The concern is strong enough that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this month warned pregnant women to reconsider visits to areas where Zika is present. Because the symptoms (fever, rash, joint pain, headache) are usually not severe, people who may have Zika virus can take everyday pain relievers for minor discomforts.
On Tuesday, the state health department reported that a woman who conceived while visiting Central America is the state’s first confirmed pregnant Zika virus patient. Florida Health Department’s interim surgeon general Dr. Celeste Philip has declared an emergency on the spread of the virus in the state.
The latest research builds on that development; the team combined RNA molecule detection with a CRISPR-based module to create a freeze-dried, paper-based diagnostic test for Zika virus.
“Clearly, many American travelers are informed about Zika, whether from the news media, the CDC or from the conversations our travel agents are having with them on a daily basis”, said Travel Leaders Group CEO Ninan Chacko.
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The 25-year-old woman worked in Ho Chi Minh City from April 10 to April 30 and entered South Korea on May 1, said the KCDC. “The other way would be then to control what they call the vector, the vector is the mosquito”. “If you must travel to one of these areas, talk to your healthcare provider first and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during your trip”, he said. “And use an EPA-registered insect repellent, which has been proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breast feeding women”.
