Scientists Develop Rapid Test to Detect Zika Virus

Researchers in the northeast of Brazil have developed the first national rapid test to detect the Zika virus in 20 minutes, whereas previously it took several weeks.

The National Agency of Sanitary Vigilance presented on Tuesday (May 31) the test which consists of two small boxes known as cassettes which process and test a small sample of the patient’s fluid.

One of the strips inside the cassette reacts with a particular antibody known as IgM, and detects infections of up to two weeks.

A strip in the other cassette reacts with the antibody IgC, identifying whether the organism has been infected by the Zika virus at any other time.

BahiaFarma, a foundation linked to the health secretariat of Bahia is waiting for orders from the government to fabricate and distribute the tests. Initial expectations are that 500,000 tests will be produced per month.

Director of BahiaFarma, Rodrigo Dias, said they were working to increase the reach of the test.

“The greater the quantity the lower the risk for the population,” Dias told reporters on Tuesday.

The rapidity of the test is thought to be particularly important for pregnant women, given the link between Zika and microcephaly, severe birth defects in children.

Overall 80 percent of people infected by Zika suffer no apparent symptoms. — Reuters

(Source: GMAnetwork.com)