Who do you call when mosquitoes attack? The SWAT team.

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Fact of the week,

3D illustration of Zika virus particle. Kateryna Kon/Shutterstock

Because of the strong correlation between Zika infection during pregnancy and the rise of microcephaly cases in Brazil, resembling prior patterns in French Polynesia other regions associated with Zika infection, WHO declared Zika virus infection a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on February 1st, 2016. Nine months later, WHO declared the end of this "Emergency".

Good news? It is the opposite. The term "emergency" here means a quick global response was needed for surveillance and to develop a cure or vaccine for Zika infection ASAP. What the end of the "emergency" really means is that Zika is here to stay. Scientists, researchers and policy makers need a long-term plan to study Zika virus and implement strategies to control the spread of this infection. 

Keeping up with our lab on twitter @TWiwatpanit594
Location: National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Thailand

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