Olympic Sized Questions About Zika
March 7, 2016
Reuters – As the 2016 Brazil Olympics near, concern over the spread of the Zika virus in the region and the effect it could have on the athletes and spectators heightens.
One of the most crucial questions is whether Zika, unlike similar mosquito-borne viruses, can be transmitted sexually, or remain latent in the body – possibly presenting a risk for women who become pregnant after the Olympics have ended.
“It is likely that, following infection, people are immune,” says Dr. Leslie Lobel, chair of the Department of Virology and Developmental Genetics at BGU’s Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics.
Dr. Leslie Lobel
“But what percentage of convalesced patients and for how long they will be immune will not be clear for some time,” continues Dr. Lobel.
A fear is that Zika could be similar to the Ebola virus, which has not provided immunity to all patients who survived infection. In several cases, the virus appears to have been reactivated many months after recovery.
Dr. Lobel has been working with Ugandan and Brazilian scientists to investigate Zika and lift the veil of mystery surrounding the virus.
Read more on the Reuters website >>
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