Microcephaly

The Zika virus outbreak in Latin America has affected over 60 million people up to now. The infection can have potentially fatal consequences for pregnant women and their unborn children: many

Millions of people have contracted Zika and chikungunya virus infections since the outbreaks that have been striking Latin America since 2013. Particularly Zika-related malformations in newborns

Globally, Brazil has been the hardest hit by the current Zika outbreak. Almost all cases of Zika-associated malformations in newborns have been reported from this country. DZIF scientists from the

Scientists have elucidated the Zika burden in a Brazilian metropolis. Their data indicate: the outbreak may be coming to an end and further outbreaks in the region seem unlikely. The study has also

Since autumn 2015, the Zika virus epidemic has been causing marked increases in the birth of babies with much too small heads, or so-called “microcephaly”, especially in South and Central America. The

In June, the World Health Organisation (WHO) decided that the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro can take place despite the Zika virus. The risk of a further international spread is low. The virus is

DZIF scientists from Lübeck have succeeded in uncovering the three dimensional structure of a key enzyme in the Zika virus. With this, they have laid the basis for developing antiviral agents. The

Infections with Zika viruses are usually harmless. However, in Brazil, reports about a potential link between an infection with the virus and brain malformations (microcephaly) in newborns have

The Zika virus, which is transmitted by the mosquito species Aedes aegypti, is currently spreading rapidly in South America, particularly in Brazil. The virus may damage unborn foetuses during