Zika virus
Senators urge Obama administration to clarify position on Haiti in wake of cholera epidemic
A bipartisan coalition of U.S. senators recently urged the Obama administration in a letter to clarify their position on the growing cholera epidemic in Haiti. The group includes U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Edward Markey (D-MA) and Robert Melendez (D-NJ). “The... Read More »
Vaccine researchers share steps needed to develop safe and effective Zika virus vaccine
A group of international vaccine experts recently shared a series of requirements for the development of a safe and effective Zika virus vaccine. The research group features experts from the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) at Galveston, the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and... Read More »
DNA vaccine shows promise against combating Zika virus
A team of researchers from the National Institutes of Health and other research institutions recently developed a DNA vaccine to combat the spread of Zika virus. Research teams with the Kansas State University (KSU) Biosecurity Research Institute, the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro,... Read More »
Upstate Medical University researchers use collaborative approach to study the spread of mosquito-borne viruses
An Upstate Medical University research team recently began utilizing a social-ecological systems (SES) approach to study mosquito-borne viruses such as Zika, chikungunya and dengue fever. The SES approach builds upon new information as it becomes available to the multi-disciplinary research team... Read More »
Zika virus vaccine candidate receives funding from BARDA to expedite development
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) approved a contract on Monday to develop an inactivated Zika virus vaccine candidate. The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), under the... Read More »
KSU study finds no Zika transmission amongst Culex mosquitoes
A team of researchers from the Kansas State University (KSU) Biosecurity Research Institute recently conducted a study with Culex species mosquitoes from across the country to find ways to stop the spread of Zika virus. Findings from the study were published in the journal Vector-Borne and... Read More »
HHS awards $19.8 million for development of Zika virus vaccine
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) recently provided Takeda Vaccines, Inc., with a grant to develop a Zika virus vaccine. The grant, worth $19.8 million, will be spaced out over the course of the next 18... Read More »
Johns Hopkins researchers identify three promising drugs in fight against Zika virus
A collaborative research effort by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, the National Institutes of Health and Florida State University recently revealed two classes of compounds already in use in the pharmaceutical industry that might prove useful in the fight against Zika virus.... Read More »
NCATS research team identifies compounds for potential treatment against Zika virus
A research team at the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) recently identified compounds that could be used to inhibit the replication of Zika virus and reduce its ability to kill brain cells. The research team identified two classes of compounds effective against Zika... Read More »
Clawson to introduce Zika prevention legislation when House reconvenes
U.S. Rep. Curt Clawson (R-FL) released a plan on Tuesday to introduce legislation that would appropriate $1.1 billion in funding for Zika virus prevention programs through Fiscal Year 2017 when the House reconvenes in early September. “With each passing day that we do not act, the Zika... Read More »
HHS funds Chembio’s development of Zika virus diagnostic test
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) awarded Chembio Diagnostic Systems, Inc., a $5.9 million contract on Wednesday for the development of a Zika virus test for use in doctors’ offices. Chembio is... Read More »
Johns Hopkins Medicine opens multidisciplinary Zika virus center
Johns Hopkins Medicine formally opened the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Zika Center on Tuesday, becoming the first known multidisciplinary Zika virus center in the world. The center is composed of providers and related staff from departments and divisions at Johns Hopkins Medicine and the Johns Hopkins... Read More »HHS enters into agreement with DiaSorin Group for the development of rapid Zika virus test
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) entered into a $2.6 million agreement on Monday with the DiaSorin Group to further the development of a Zika virus test that may help diagnose the virus more quickly.... Read More »
CDC issues travel warnings for those traveling to Zika-affected areas
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a level 2 travel notice on Thursday for people traveling to destinations that have been affected by Zika virus. Zika virus has spread rapidly in South America and Caribbean countries, with transmission of the virus typically... Read More »