Zika reference strain sequenced, will aid in diagnosis, screening
Friday, September 2, 2016 - 05:01
in Health & Medicine
An international team of researchers has sequenced a strain of the Zika virus that will be used as a World Health Organization reference strain to identify Zika virus infection in the blood, thus making it easier to diagnose the disease. While the reference material will undergo formal WHO review in October, the agency has given the go-ahead for the strain's use given the urgent need of medical products to diagnose and treat Zika.