Zika virus in Brazil is similar to Zika virus in Asia

Scientists on April 12 announced that Zika virus in the outbreak of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil in 2015 is similar to the Zika virus in Asia.

AFP news agency on April 13 quoted experts as saying this finding reinforces the hypothesis that the Zika virus may be caused by athletes from the Pacific island islands, when they come here. join a boat race in late 2014.

The study, published in the journal PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, said the race brings together athletes from the Pacific region such as French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Cook Islands and Easter Island, where Zika virus has emerged from year 2014.

Scientists are also introducing new concerns about the risk of translating Zika to worsen during the upcoming Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Zika virus can be transmitted through mosquito bites and scary than previously predicted - (Photo: AFP).

"At this time, health facilities must be alerted to the risk of disease spreading throughout the summer, which can spread to areas where there is no epidemic" - a warning study result.

However, researchers have yet to determine the exact route and the time when Zika virus entered Latin America.

Another study published in the journal Science sequenced the genomes of seven Zika virus samples in Brazil, collected from March to November 2015.

The results confirm that the Zika virus even invaded Latin America earlier, between May and December 2013 on a flight from French Polynesia or Southeast Asia.

Elsewhere, US officials warned of the Zika virus "more frightening than previously thought, and the effect of the virus on the United States may be greater than expected".

Reuters news agency quoted an official from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Dr. Anne Schuchat, warned that the virus could now spread to US states more than previously expected.

CDC data shows that there are currently 346 cases of Zika virus in the United States, all of which are related to travel. In early 2016, President Barack Obama asked the US Congress to approve a $ 1.9 billion budget for emergency funds against Zika virus.