Certain Tools, Studies Urgently Needed To Solve Zika Virus Mystery

Since the case of eight-month old Micaela has reached the headlines, it has likewise been the newest addition to the numerous questions about Zika Virus' mystery. Micaela was exposed to the virus but doesn't have microcephaly, a condition wherein fetuses have abnormally small heads and brain damage. Microcephaly being caused by Zika is one of the many alarming discoveries about the virus. In nearly 70 years that scientists have learned about its existence due to infected Aedes species mosquitoes, experts claim that it is the lack of tools that retains the virus' mystery.

According to Miami Herald, there are various things that most scientists still don't know. The World Health Organization said that there is a severe lack of research as well as funding shortage to study even the basic questions raised. For instance, scientists still don't know the reason why some people exposed to the virus don't get sick.  Additionally, they don't know how long the virus stays in the human body and bodily fluids like urine and semen, as well as the length of immunity after the infected person develops antibodies. Lastly, experts don't know how many of those infected are most likely to have Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare immunological disorder that is also linked to Zika infection.

At present, the tools believed to prevent Zika's spread are intensive insecticide spraying and vaccine development. However, the former may only be effective for the short run and the latter is not expected to be ready before 2018.

Meanwhile, scientists believe they are certain about one important fact regarding the relationship of temperature and transmission cycles. Cooler temperatures tend to reduce mosquito populations; hence the outbreak may be retained to small clusters only and fade out by winter.

Scientists indeed have a lot more research to do, including the case of Micaela, given the fact that Zika has been declared an international health emergency. As of writing, there are 584 pregnant women affected by Zika virus in the U.S. and 34 babies born with Zika-related birth defects as reported by CBS News. The information was gathered through a registry to follow infected pregnant women.