Scientists develop plant-based Zika virus vaccine

Scientists develop plant-based Zika virus vaccine

A new and improved vaccine for the Zika virus has been developed after an epidemic swept across the Americas in 2015.

Zika triggered travel warnings, with pregnant women being urged to postpone non-essential trips to affected countries during a surge in cases which revealed the mosquito-borne virus could cause birth defects.

Governments, academic laboratories, and pharmaceutical companies invested heavily in stopping the virus.

The committed public health efforts paid off, with Brazil declaring an end to its Zika emergency in May after a drop in cases.

However the World Health Organisation has warned that tens of millions of people could still be infected in the Americas in the coming years.

There are currently no licensed vaccines or therapeutics available to combat Zika, although a $100m US government-led clinical trial is underway.
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