Zika prevention and diagnosis closer as Chinese sequence genome

Scientists in China say they are a step closer to helping with the prevention and diagnosis of the Zika virus, stating they have sequenced the genome of the country's first imported case of the disease. As we previously noted, a man carrying the virus returned to China last month from Venezuela via Hong Kong and Shenzhen, however, he has now been discharged after a full recovery. This success, say the Chinese scientists, lays the foundation for understanding how the virus works as well as developing bacteria and reagents to diagnose the disease. As we revealed earlier this month, Indian-based Bharat Biotech claims to have developed a vaccine for the virus and called on the World Health Organisation to speed up the process of its patent. 

Workers fumigate a train car at a train depot in Seoul's Gangseo Ward, South Korea, Feb 17, 2016, as a precaution against the spread of the Zika virus (ZIKV). [Photo/IC]

BEIJING - Chinese scientists on Monday sequenced the genome of the country's first imported Zika virus, helping with prevention and diagnosis.

The success was achieved by scientists with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the provincial center in East China's Jiangxi province.

China confirmed the first imported Zika case on Feb 9. The patient, a 34-year-old man from Jiangxi, developed a fever, headache and dizziness on Jan 28 in Venezuela, before returning home on Feb. 5 via Hong Kong and Shenzhen. He has been discharged from hospital after a full recovery.

Monday's success has laid foundation for understanding the virus' variations as well as developing bacteria and reagents to diagnose the disease.

A mosquito is seen in the Gorgas Memorial institute for Health Studies laboratory in Panama City, Feb 4, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

Related: Mosquitoes to be used in the fight against Zika

2016-02-05 By Shan Juan (China Daily)

A pilot field study using mosquitoes infected with bacteria is expected to be launched in South China probably in March, according to a lead researcher.

The move is aimed at reducing the local mosquito population, which could pass the Zika virus to humans, said Xi Zhiyong, who heads the study.

Related: Zika curbs to include mosquito mass extermination

2016-02-04 By Shan Juan (China Daily)

As the weather turns warmer and China faces a higher risk of local transmission of the Zika virus, the top virus-prevention authority plans a large-scale extermination of mosquitoes, particularly in South China, to cut off transmission of the virus and curb its spread here, a senior virologist said on Wednesday.