Los Angeles, May 17 (PTI) Scientists have discovered a compound that prevents the Zika virus from spreading, a step towards finding a drug to treat the infection, which has become a global epidemic. The screening process identified three promising compounds, which were then tested for their ability to prevent Zika infection of human brain cells. It is also much more potent than previously identified inhibitors of the Zika protease," said Terskikh. The Zika virus has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organisation (WHO), a rare designation indicating that a coordinated global response is needed. "Microcephaly is likely just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the potential adverse effects of maternal Zika infection," said Terskikh.

Source: India Today May 17, 2017 07:41 UTC