a cure for zika might be just around the corner- let's keep our fingers crossed for that. scientists in the united states have identifiedmedical compounds that could be used to treat the so far incurable virus, which is believedto cause brain deformities in newborn babies. this as the number of confirmed cases of zikain southeast asia increase rapidly. researchers at the national center for advancingtranslational sciences say they've identified two groups of drugs that could effectivelycounter the mosquito-borne zika virus. one of them stops the virus from replicatingand the other stops the virus from killing fetal brain cells. they identified three drugs: an investigationalcompound with antiviral properties;... a chemical
called emricasan, which has shown neuroprotectiveeffects; and niclosamide, which is already being used as an antiviral agent against parasiticinfections. using robot screening, the team examined 6-thousandcompounds that are already approved for human use or undergoing clinical trial, hoping thiswould help get the treatments to infected people more quickly. the zika virus has been linked to seriousbirth defects in babies, including an abnormally small head resulting from brain deformities. it's primarily transmitted through bites fromaedes aegypti mosquitoes and can also be spread through childbirth and sexual contact.
the world health organization says there arecurrently no vaccines or drug treatments effective against the virus which has been reportedin 60 countries so far. recently, there have been a growing numberof zika cases in southeast asia where the virus has been locally-transmitted. the tropical environment in the region providesa breeding ground for mosquitoes. singapore reported on monday 56 cases of zika,all of them infected locally. thailand saw the largest number of patientsin the region. in the first half of this year, the countrysaw close to 100 zika cases, when it usually sees just 2 to 5 in a whole year.
countries around the world including korea,australia and taiwan have issued travel alerts to citizens visiting southeast asia, advisingthem to take additional measures to protect themselves from mosquitos and pregnant womento postpone their trips. oh soo-young, arirang news.
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