How to Stop Zika Virus? Galveston National Laboratory may Have the Answer

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The Zika virus has been linked to thousands of new cases of brain damage in babies in Brazil. A number of medical companies and centers, including the Galveston National Laboratory are racing against time to learn more about the virus and find a way to stop its spread.

Reuters says the White House has issued the following statement:

"The president emphasized the need to accelerate research efforts to make available better diagnostic tests, to develop vaccines and therapeutics, and to ensure that all Americans have information about the Zika virus and steps they can take to better protect themselves from infection."

In line with this statement, CNN says scientists from the Galveston National Laboratory have been conducting experiments to see how much damage the Zika virus can do when it spreads to the United States. Mosquitoes fed with the infected blood are examined to see how long it takes for the virus to spread from their stomach to their saliva.

The scientists believe this will help them come up methods on how to combat the virus or control its spread.

A recent report by Houston Chronicle indicates that the virus has existed for over 70 years. However, public health officials are still confused as to why the virus has reemerged with such devastating effects on pregnant women.

Individuals infected with the virus exhibit symptoms no different from those with Chikungunya and Dengue: fever, rashes with some joint pain.

"In the beginning, it was just another virus, and people didn't think much about it," Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services head of mosquito control Dr. Mustapha Debboun stated to the Chronicle. "What's really caused a big commotion are the babies with microcephaly in Brazil."

Over 3,100 new cases have been reported in 2015, more than 20 times the number of cases reported in the previous year.

Although US health officials have expressed concern, they are doubtful that the virus will be as destructive as it is in other countries.

According to the cable news channel, experts see the US climate as a hindrance. Mosquitoes infected with the virus prefer areas with warmer climates.

With airconditioned homes and homes spaced further apart, it would difficult for mosquitoes to thrive in the US. There are also several measures for controlling the spread of mosquitoes, even in warm areas such as Florida.

Other companies are testing various methods of reducing the population of Aedes aegypti, the mosquito responsible for carrying the Zika virus. WFDD says UK-based company Oxitec is currently considering releasing genetically modified male mosquitoes in Brazil.

When the mosquitoes mate with the females, the resulting offspring will die before they mature. Previous trials indicate that use of modified male mosquitoes can reduce mosquito populations by 90 percent.