Scientists Predict That took 10 Years To Find Zika Virus Vaccine

Scientists Predict That took 10 Years To Find Zika Virus Vaccine

US scientists who reviewed the Zika virus, warn, it took ten years before the vaccine is available to the public. This virus is associated with shrinkage of the unborn child, causing severe brain damage or death. Zika has spread to over 20 countries and caused panic in Brazil where thousands of people were infected. Currently there is no vaccine or cure, while test diagnosis is difficult to do.

The search of the vaccine was led by scientists at the University of Texas Medical Branch. They have visited Brazil to do research and collect samples. Now they are doing the analysis in the laboratory heavily guarded in Galveston. However, they cautioned that although the vaccine may be ready to test in two years, chances are it can take ten years before being allowed by the government.

Speaking to the BBC from a building guarded by the police and FBI, Professor Scott Weaver, director of the Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, said the fear of society against this virus is unfounded. The World Health Organization, WHO earlier estimated Zika virus will spread to the American countries except Canada and Chile.

Head of the WHO, Margaret Chan, in a meeting in Geneva said that the explosion spread of Zika into new geographic areas, with immunity among the small community, raises concerns. However she stressed that the relation of cause and effect between Zika virus infections, pregnancy and microcephaly is still not ascertained '.

Microcephaly is an unusual birth of a baby with a smaller head size. In Brazil recorded 3,893 cases of microcephaly since October, much higher than the average microcephaly usually. Authorities in several countries in Latin America-such as Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Jamaika- has been suggested that women delay pregnancy until more is known about the virus.

Typically, the attack by the virus causing mild symptoms, so it is still unclear why there is a serious outbreak in Brazil. Women who are pregnant are also requested to avoid traveling to countries that face an outbreak of Zika.