First Zika Virus Test Developed in Germany

Researchers in Germany have developed a diagnostic test that can accurately detect the Zika virus in humans with test kits already sent to Brazil.

Previously the mosquito borne virus could only be detected if someone showed some of the disease’s distinctive symptoms, making the fever extremely difficult to track – especially as the majority of people do not show symptoms.

However the tests, developed by German biotechnology company, Genekam, not only reveal the presence of Zika pathogens in a blood sample but also provide information on the quantity in the patient’s blood.

Speaking to Deutsche Welle on Saturday Sudhir Bhartia, a Genekam researcher, said the test brings quick results and is the first Zika virus testing kit to have been developed.

"Our test examines DNA and works with chemicals that react to the Zika virus only. Similar pathogens like Dengue fever won't show up in the results," Bhartia said.

However, Bhartia stressed the tests can only be administered in specialized medical facilities and laboratories that have the appropriate equipment and personnel with sufficient know-how.

#Zika virus blamed for the birth defect microcephaly, causes babies to be born with an abnormally small head. pic.twitter.com/QxxVP7PThu

— Anonymous (@YourAnonCentral) January 29, 2016

“The test must only be used by qualified personnel so that mistakes can be avoided,” Bhartia admitted.

Last week five people in Germany, who had recently visited Latin America and the Caribbean, were diagnosed with the Zika virus infection.

A batch of the kits have already been sent to Brazil for immediate use. Under normal circumstances, the newly developed tests would go through a lengthy authorization phase, however Brazilian authorities have made an exception as the virus continues to spread across the country and the Americas at an alarming rate.

Brazil has been hit hard by the deadly fever with up to 1.5 million people reportedly infected. Health officials say they have recorded around 3,700 cases of microcephaly, a devastating birth defect, that is suspected to be caused by Zika.

NEWS: More than 2,000 Pregnant Women Infected with Zika in Colombia

With the disease affecting several countries across the Americas, health experts have warned that virus could be a bigger threat to global health than the Ebola epidemic that killed more than 11,000 people in Africa.

“In many ways the Zika outbreak is worse than the Ebola epidemic of 2014-15,” said Jeremy Farrar on Saturday, head of the  biomedical research charity Wellcome Trust. “Most virus carriers are symptomless. It is a silent infection in a group of highly vulnerable individuals – pregnant women – that is associated with a horrible outcome for their babies.”

According to the Pan American Health Organization, the virus will likely spread to all 33 Latin American and Caribbean countries as well as the southern part of the United States. 

The World Health Organization, which is set to hold an emergency meeting of world health experts on Monday, said Zika is “spreading explosively” across the region, putting up to 4 million people across the Americas at risk.

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