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Scientists have triggered the spread of the Zika virus
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
The Zika virus, which threatens the entire Western Hemisphere of our planet, as scientists have found out, appeared after unsuccessful laboratory studies. This virus causes fever, which is extremely dangerous for pregnant women, as the virus causes underdevelopment of the skull, brain, mental retardation and neurological abnormalities in newborns.
As stated in the British media, it was in the laboratory that dangerous genetically modified mosquitoes were bred, which caused widespread infection of people. The specialists intended to breed a new species of insects that would stop the spread of Dengue fever, however, the mosquitoes became carriers of another dangerous disease.
Zika fever is spreading rapidly in South and North America, Africa, and Asia. The disease has been detected in 21 countries, but there is currently no effective vaccine against the infection.
The virus causes a low fever, conjunctivitis, pain and does not pose a danger to adults, but pregnant women are at risk, as the virus can cause serious brain pathologies in the fetus, including hydrocephalus.
It is worth noting that the Zika virus was discovered in nature in the 1940s, the carriers of the infection were mosquitoes that lived in Africa, the same mosquitoes carry another dangerous disease - Dengue fever. Until 2007, the virus manifested itself in isolated cases and did not cause serious concerns, but in 2007, Zika fever affected 70% of the population of the Pacific island of Yap, and in 2013, the virus spread across French Polynesia, South and Central America. It is the latest activity of the virus that is associated with laboratory research conducted by scientists at that time. According to some data, mosquitoes that carry dangerous diseases were genetically modified in the laboratory and released into the wild. It was assumed that the offspring, which would produce a new species of mosquitoes after mating with "normal" females, would die, thereby stopping the spread of the infection. But some experts are sure that some mistake was made when the genetic code was laid down for mosquitoes, and as a result, the multi-million offspring of mosquitoes not only survived, but also led to such disastrous consequences.
Today, WHO intends to convene a meeting to discuss whether the artificially created virus is a global problem. According to some experts, the Zika virus is much more dangerous than the recently notorious Ebola virus that has affected African countries. The WHO meeting will not take any action on this issue, and in the coming days, experts will announce a decision on the scale of the impending threat. Most likely, any action on this issue will be taken after the level of danger is determined.
Experts also noted that the Zika virus does not pose a danger to residents of northern regions, since the mosquitoes that carry it are not adapted to life in such cold conditions. The spread of the infection is predicted to occur in Latin America.
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