Laboratory studies of the Zika virus are "urgently" needed, European experts say.
Molecular analysis might help explain why the virus has suddenly developed the ability to spread rapidly – and may cause microcephaly in babies, according to experts writing in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases.
The experts warn the virus may "return" to Africa soon.
Dr Nick Beeching, from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, said Zika was currently present in Cape Verde, an island.
He said: “The next stage for the virus might be to move from Cape Verde to Guinea-Bissau, and from there to neighbouring countries in West Africa.
"It could also be exported to Madeira, which is part of Europe, and which experienced a dengue fever outbreak in 2012, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes that were already established there.”
Dr Rogelio López-Vélez, off the Hospital Ramón y Cajal in Madrid, Spain, add: "If the virus spreads to Africa and Southern Europe, we urgently need rapid diagnostic tests and more information on how long the risk of microcephaly exists after infection.
"For now however, particularly among female migrants from South America or Europeans visiting Latin America, we need to ensure they remain vigilant when travelling between the two continents.”
Led by Professor Eskild Petersen, from Aarhus University in Denmark, and Professor Alimuddin Zumla, University College London, United Kingdom, the experts have warned the world needs to step up research on Zika ahead of this summer’s Olympic games in Brazil.
They write: “Molecular analyses of the virus are most urgently needed to understand whether a change in the virus can explain the rapid spread and the association with microcephaly in babies exposed to the virus during pregnancy.”
Unexpected and Rapid Spread of Zika Virus in The Americas – Implications for Public Health Preparedness for Mass Gatherings at the 2016 Brazil Olympic Games International Journal of Infectious Diseases 4 February 2016 [abstract]
Leave a Reply