Articles on Zika

Displaying 61 - 70 of 70 articles

Sorting pupae of genetically modified mosquitoes before release to the wild. Paulo Whitaker/Reuters

February 3, 2016

Three ways synthetic biology could annihilate Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases

Andrew Maynard, Arizona State University

Insecticides and mosquito nets only get you so far. Synthetic biologists are ready to take the battle against mosquito-borne disease to the level of DNA – which might spell the insects’ ultimate doom.

Women read Zika virus flyers at the departures area of Santiago’s international airport, January 28, 2016. Ivan Alvarado/Reuters

February 2, 2016

Zika virus: mosquitoes and travel patterns will determine spread of virus

Sahotra Sarkar, University of Texas at Austin

Models based on where the mosquitoes that transmit Zika are found and human travel patterns to and from infected areas are key to predicting where the virus will spread.

The WHO has declared a state of emergency to mobilise funds for research and greater awareness. Salvatore Di Nolfi/AAP

February 2, 2016

Zika emergency status a cause for alert, not alarm

Grant Hill-Cawthorne, University of Sydney

Overnight, World Health Organisation Director-General Margaret Chan declared the outbreak of Zika virus a public health emergency. So what does this mean?

The link between microcephaly in unborn children and Zika hasn’t been definitely confirmed, but vaccine development is a top priority. Percio Campos/EPA

February 2, 2016

Here’s why we don’t have a vaccine for Zika (and other mosquito-borne viruses)

Suresh Mahalingam, Griffith University and Michael Rolph, Griffith University

As Zika fear rises, people are inevitably asking why we don't have a vaccine to protect against the mosquito-borne virus.

Illustration of the zika virus. Zika by Shutterstock

February 1, 2016

Why it’s wrong to compare Zika to Ebola

Clare Wenham, London School of Economics and Political Science

Zika is quite different to Ebola – and experts would do well to wait before making recommendations this time.

February 1, 2016

What really threatens America: Zika, cancer or ISIS?

Simon Reich, Rutgers University Newark

The unfolding information about the Zika virus and saddening images of babies infected with microcephaly should really scare us all. The disease has spread “explosively” throughout the Americas, with 32…

Fumigating mosquitos in Venezuela: the Zika virus has wide-ranging implications for largely Catholic nations in Latin America and elsewhere. Miguel Guitirrez/AAP

January 29, 2016

Love in the time of Zika

Beverley Paterson, University of Newcastle

Love, sex and babies are the foundation of human existence. Without them the human race ceases to exist. Zika has suddenly disrupted this normal course of events.

Municipal workers wait before spraying insecticide to prevent the spread of Aedes aegypti mosquito at Sambodrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, January 26, 2016. Pilar Olivares/Reuters

January 27, 2016

Explainer: where did Zika virus come from and why is it a problem in Brazil?

Amy Y. Vittor, University of Florida

Zika was discovered almost 70 years ago, but wasn't associated with outbreaks until 2007. So how did this formerly obscure virus wind up causing so much trouble in Brazil?

There is little doubt the virus can make it to Australia. mrfiza/Shutterstock

January 25, 2016

Does Zika virus pose a threat to Australia?

Cameron Webb, University of Sydney

They’re small, spindly insects but their threat never dwindles – the bites of mosquitoes threaten death and disease in many parts of the world.

Detecting viruses in wild-caught mosquitoes provides intimate detail of disease transmission cycles. University of Washington SPH/Flickr

August 19, 2015

How a new test is revolutionising what we know about viruses in our midst

Craig Williams, University of South Australia and Emily Johnston Flies, University of South Australia

We monitor mosquitoes to help predict and control virus outbreaks. And a new technique for collecting mosquito saliva from the field has made the process both more sensitive and inexpensive.

Top contributors

Cameron Webb
Clinical Lecturer and Principal Hospital Scientist, University of Sydney
Steven Maltby
Post-doctoral Fellow in Immunology & Genetics / Research Academic for Centre of Excellence in Severe Asthma, University of Newcastle
Emily Johnston Flies
Postdoctoral Research Associate (U.Tasmania) & Science Writer (U.Adelaide), University of Tasmania
Beverley Paterson
Epidemiologist, Senior Lecturer, University of Newcastle
Lyn Gilbert
Clinical Professor in Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney
Simon Reich
Professor in The Division of Global Affairs and The Department of Political Science, Rutgers University Newark
Sara Davies
ARC Future Fellow, Griffith University
Dominic Wilkinson
Consultant Neonatologist and Professor of Medical Ethics, University of Oxford
Craig Williams
Associate Professor in Biology and Associate Director: Teaching Innovation Unit, University of South Australia
Nial Wheate
Nial Wheate is a Friend of The Conversation.

BPharm Coordinator and Senior Lecturer, University of Sydney
Tina Beattie
Director of the Digby Stuart Research Centre for Religion, Society and Human Flourishing, University of Roehampton
Grant Hill-Cawthorne
Senior Lecturer in Communicable Disease Epidemiology, University of Sydney
Catherine Bateman Steel
Adjunct Lecturer and PhD student, School of Social Sciences; Public Health Physician, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, UNSW
Andrew Maynard
Director, Risk Innovation Lab, Arizona State University
Derek Gatherer
Lecturer, Lancaster University