2025-05-29
Unraveling the Zika Virus: A Tiny Threat with Global Impact
The Zika virus (ZIKV), discovered in 1947, is a flavivirus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, causing mild symptoms but severe complications like microcephaly. Its RNA genome encodes structural (C, prM, E) and non-structural (NS1, NS2A, NS2B, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, NS5) proteins, driving infection and immune evasion. A 2025 study using zebrafish embryos revealed NS4A’s role in neurodevelopmental defects, mimicking mammalian outcomes. Advanced models like zebrafish and 3D organoids enhance understanding of ZIKV’s neuropathogenesis, aiding diagnostics and vaccine development to combat its global impact, particularly in tropical regions.
