Scientists have provoked the spread of the virus Zeka
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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The virus of Zika, which threatens the entire western hemisphere of our planet, scientists found, appeared after unsuccessful laboratory research. This virus causes fever, which is extremely dangerous for pregnant women, since the virus causes the development of a skull, brain, mental retardation and neurological abnormalities in newborns.
As indicated in the British media, it was in the laboratory that dangerous genetically altered mosquitoes were brought out, which caused widespread infection of people. Specialists intended to take out a new kind of insects that would stop the spread of Dengue fever, however, mosquitoes became carriers of another dangerous disease.
The fever of Zika is rapidly spreading in South and North America, Africa, Asia. The disease was identified in 21 countries, but to date there is no effective vaccine against infection.
The virus causes a small fever, conjunctivitis, pain and does not pose a danger to an adult, but pregnant women are at risk because the virus can cause serious brain pathologies in the fetus, including hydrocephalus.
It is worth noting that in nature, the virus Zika was discovered in the 40s of the XX century, the carriers of the infection were mosquitoes that lived in Africa, the same mosquitoes suffer another dangerous disease - Dengue fever. Until 2007, the virus showed only occasional cases and did not cause serious unrest, but in 2007, Zika fever struck 70% of the population of the Pacific island of Yap, and in 2013 the virus spread through French Polynesia, South and Central America. It is the latter activity of the virus that is associated with laboratory research conducted by the scientist at that time. According to some reports in the laboratory, mosquitoes carrying dangerous diseases were genetically altered and released into nature. It was assumed that offspring, which will give a new kind of mosquito after mating with "normal" females, will die, thereby spreading the infection to stop. But some experts are sure that when laying down a genetic code for mosquitoes there was some mistake, as a result, the multimillion-dollar offspring of mosquitoes not only survived, but also led to such disastrous consequences.
To date, WHO intends to convene a meeting to discuss whether an artificially created virus is a world-wide problem. According to a number of experts, the virus Zika is much more dangerous than the recently cited Ebola virus that hit the African countries. At the meeting of WHO, there will not be any activities on this issue and the specialists will announce a decision on the extent of the imminent threat the other day. Most likely, any action on this issue will be taken after the level of danger has been determined.
Also, experts noted that the virus Zika does not pose a threat to residents of the northern regions, because mosquito vectors are not adapted to life in such cold conditions. The spread of the infection is projected to occur in Latin America.
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