Zika virus causes a disease that is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. It has been receiving a lot of media coverage after being tentatively linked to microcephaly, a neurological condition where a baby is born with an abnormally small head because the brain did not develop correctly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is advising pregnant women to avoid travel to 14 countries and territories in Latin America and the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico, Mexico and Haiti.
UTMB researchers Scott Weaver and Nikos Vasilakis have been contributing to numerous Zika virus news stories.
Houston Chronicle, January 19, 2016 — Emergence of Zika virus stirs debate
Toronto Star, January 17, 2016 — Ahead of the Rio Olympics, a foreign invader is linked to an outbreak of birth defects in Brazil
Bahamas Tribune, January 15, 2016 — Haiti reports cases of mosquito-borne Zika virus
Huffington Post, January 14, 2016 — There are strong signs Zika virus is linked to birth defects, says CDC
Medical Xpress, January 18, 2016 — Zika is latest mosquito-borne virus knocking on Texas’ door this story also reported in Health Medicine Network.
Odyssey, January 18, 2016 — What you need to know about Zika virus
LidTime.com, January 18, 2016 — Zika virus affected baby born in Hawaii with microcephaly, this story also reported in Financial Spots.
The Examiner, January 18, 2016 — Zika threat looms for United States
MyTechBits.com, January 16, 2016 — US tells pregnant women to avoid 14 countries with Zika outbreaks
Nikos Vasilakas contributions:
NBC Nightly News, January 18, 2016 — Hawaii baby born with brain damage is first U.S. case linked to Zika virus
CBS Evening News, January 16, 2016 — Pregnant women warned about Zika virus
CBS Evening News, January 18, 2016 — Travel Warning issued for pregnant women amid Zika outbreak
Buzz Feed News, January 16, 2016 — Zika virus poses real threat of spreading to the U.S., experts say