Zika Content

Zika Infection in Pregnant Macaques Slows Fetal Growth

Andy Fell — October 25, 2023 - 11:00am

Zika virus infection in pregnant rhesus macaques slows fetal growth and affects how infants and mothers interact in the first month of life, according to a new study from researchers at the California National Primate Research Center at the University of California, Davis. The work, published Oct. 25 in Science Translational Medicine, has implications for both humans exposed to Zika virus and for other viruses that can cross the placenta, including SARS-CoV2, responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Zika Vaccine Protects Fetus in Pregnant Monkeys

Andy Fell — December 18, 2019 - 11:00am

An experimental vaccine against the Zika virus reduced the amount of virus in pregnant rhesus macaques and improved fetal outcomes. The work could help support development and approval of the experimental Zika DNA vaccine VRC5283, which is currently in early stage trials in humans. The results are published Dec. 18 in Science Translational Medicine.

Where Will the World’s Next Zika, West Nile or Dengue Virus Come From?

Katherine E Kerlin — January 04, 2019 - 7:39am

After collecting data and comparing it with every known mammal and bird species on Earth, scientists from the University of California, Davis, have identified wildlife species that are the most likely to host flaviviruses such as Zika, West Nile, dengue and yellow fever. Flaviviruses are known to cause major epidemics and widespread illness and death throughout the world.

51�ԹϺ�� Davis Receives $1 Million From Keck Foundation Following Virus Discovery

Kimberly L Hale — September 06, 2018 - 3:42pm

Researchers at the University of California, Davis, and the University of Alberta, Canada, have made preliminary discoveries about how Zika and hepatitis C viruses reproduce at the cellular level, providing new insight into a family of viruses that also includes West Nile and dengue. Now their cutting-edge research will be supported by a $1 million grant from the prestigious W.M. Keck Foundation. The foundation primarily focuses on pioneering efforts in the areas of medical research, science and engineering, and undergraduate education.

Rhesus Macaque Model Offers Route to Study Zika Brain Pathology

Andy Fell — June 20, 2018 - 11:22am

Rhesus macaque monkeys infected in utero with Zika virus develop similar brain pathology to human infants, according to a report by researchers at the California National Primate Research Center and School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis, published June 20 in Nature Communications.

CDC Supports 51�ԹϺ�� Researchers in Fighting Vector-Borne Diseases

Kimberly L Hale — August 10, 2017 - 11:56am

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week announced a bold step to enhance public health preparedness for diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks in the nation’s Southwest. With an $8 million grant from the CDC, University of California researchers from the Davis and Riverside campuses will launch the Pacific Southwest Regional Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases later this month.

DEET Works Against Zika-Infected Mosquitoes, but High Doses are Best

Patricia Bailey — February 16, 2017 - 10:49am

Researchers at 51�ԹϺ�� Davis and in Brazil have studied whether the Zika infection affects mosquitoes' response to repellents.

Zika Virus and Other Ailments Take Flight (INFOGRAPHIC)

Patricia Bailey — May 17, 2016 - 11:45am

As illustrated by this infographic, mosquitoes carry a number of life-threatening diseases to millions of people around the world when they feed on infected humans or animals.

Public Invited to Zika Virus Symposium at 51�ԹϺ�� Davis

Patricia Bailey — May 16, 2016 - 11:43am

This public Zika virus symposium will feature experts from Brazil as well as from 51�ԹϺ�� Davis and offer advice for protecting against the disease.

51�ԹϺ�� Davis Experts on Zika Virus

Patricia Bailey — January 29, 2016 - 2:31pm

Zika virus, first identified in monkeys in 1947 and in humans in 1952, has become a major health concern since 2015, when health officials in Brazil began to notice that an outbreak of the virus coincided with a significant increase in newborn babies with microcephaly, or abnormally small heads. Zika virus was previously known only to cause relatively mild symptoms, including fever and rash, in infected people. The virus is transmitted to people by the Aedes group of mosquitoes and is known to be present in Africa, South America, Central America and the Western Pacific.