Researchers have warned of the possibility of a new Zika virus outbreak, with a single mutation potentially triggering what has been called ‘an explosive outbreak’.
The Zika virus disease is caused by transmission, primarily from Aedes mosquitoes and symptoms include fever, headaches, rash, conjunctivitis, muscle or joint pain and malaise.
The Zika emergency in 2016 saw thousands of babies born with brain damages after their mothers contracted the disease, with scientists from the United States warning that the world should remain alert in the face of potential new mutations.
The insects transmitting the Zika virus can be found across Asia and the Americas, except Canada and Chile, where temperatures are not warm enough for them to survive. The disease is generally mild but can have ‘catastrophic consequences’ for babies in the womb, with risk of microcephaly (unusually small head) or damage to the brain tissue if the mothers contracts the virus.
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