Researchers in Germany have developed a
diagnostic test that can accurately detect the
Zika virus in humans with test kits already sent
to Brazil.
Previously the mosquito borne virus could only
be detected if someone showed some of the
disease’s distinctive symptoms, making the fever
extremely difficult to track – especially as the
majority of people do not show symptoms.
However the tests, developed by German
biotechnology company, Genekam, not only
reveal the presence of Zika pathogens in a blood
sample but also provide information on the
quantity in the patient’s blood.
Speaking to Deutsche Welle on Saturday Sudhir
Bhartia, a Genekam researcher, said the test
brings quick results and is the first Zika virus
testing kit to have been developed.
"Our test examines DNA and works with
chemicals that react to the Zika virus only.
Similar pathogens like Dengue fever won't show
up in the results," Bhartia said.
However, Bhartia stressed the tests can only be
administered in specialized medical facilities and
laboratories that have the appropriate equipment
and personnel with sufficient know-how.


“The test must only be
used by qualified
personnel so that
mistakes can be
avoided,” Bhartia
admitted.
Last week five people in
Germany, who had
recently visited Latin
America and the
Caribbean,
were diagnosed
with the Zika virus
infection.
A batch of the kits have
already been sent to
Brazil for immediate use.
Under normal circumstances, the newly
developed tests would go through a lengthy
authorization phase, however Brazilian authorities
have made an exception as the virus continues
to spread across the country and the Americas
at an alarming rate .


With the disease affecting several countries
across the Americas, health experts have warned
that virus could be a bigger threat to global
health than the Ebola epidemic that killed more
than 11,000 people in Africa.
“In many ways the Zika outbreak is worse than
the Ebola epidemic of 2014-15,” said Jeremy
Farrar on Saturday, head of the biomedical
research charity Wellcome Trust. “Most virus
carriers are symptomless. It is a silent infection
in a group of highly vulnerable individuals –
pregnant women – that is associated with a
horrible outcome for their babies.”
According to the Pan American Health
Organization, the virus will likely spread to all 33
Latin American and Caribbean countries as well
as the southern part of the United States.
The World Health Organization, which is set
to hold an emergency meeting of world health experts on Monday,
said Zika is “spreading explosively” across the
region, putting up to 4 million people across the
Americas at risk.






source: http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/First-Zika-Virus-Test-Developed-in-Germany---20160131-0001.html?platform=hootsuite

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