The Latest On Zika: Why The Pope Should Weigh In On Contraception

This week, while research groups formed coalitions to develop a Zika virus vaccine, scientists learned more about the disease after an autopsy report showed Zika virus in brain tissue of an aborted fetus. The fetus's mother had contracted Zika virus in Brazil during her first trimester.  The Zika virus, which is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, is strongly suspected to be linked to a new wave of microcephaly cases in Brazil. Babies born with the birth defect have smaller heads and brains that aren't fully developed, which can result in life-long developmental problems.    With the high volume of news about the Zika virus, it's tough to stay up-to-date. Check out our full coverage, or read our daily recaps. 1. Brazil and Texas University parter to develop a Zika vaccine The University of Texas Medical Branch and the government of Brazil signed a deal to collaborate on a Zika virus vaccine, with a goal to start clinical testing within a year, The Associated Press reports. The new partnership is one of several alliances that Brazil's ministry of health has forged in response to the country's Zika outbreak, including a collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and GlaxoSmithKline, the pharmaceutical company that helped developed an Ebola vaccine following the 2014-2015 outbreak of the disease in West Africa. In a statement following the announcement, Brazil's health minister, Marcelo Castro, outlined a three-pronged ...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news