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Zika virus is dangerous in early pregnancy
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
American scientists decided to check how the Zika virus affects the fetus during pregnancy and infected monkeys carrying the fetus. The goal of this research project was to identify possible developmental defects in newborns. It was assumed that in baby monkeys, as in humans, the virus would cause brain damage.
The babies were surgically removed from the mother's body on the 50th day after infection; a total of 5 pig-tailed macaques took part in the experiment. As a result, signs of microcephaly (underdevelopment of the brain and skull, accompanied by mental retardation and neurological abnormalities) were found in the brains of the newborns.
Earlier studies by other research groups found that 1 in 100 pregnant women infected with the Zika virus early in pregnancy may develop severe fetal brain defects. Scientists also found that if the mother is infected early in pregnancy, brain underdevelopment occurs 50 times more often. According to experts, the first months of pregnancy are extremely important for the health of the future baby, and the health of the child depends on the mother's health during this period.
There were also reports from the World Health Organization regarding the Zika virus, in which experts noted that there is a connection between the development of microcephaly and the Zika virus. WHO experts reported that additional research will take several more months, then perhaps the existence of a direct connection between the virus and underdevelopment of the brain will be proven.
It is worth recalling that the Zika virus was discovered more than 40 years ago in Africa, and the first patient was recorded 7 years later in Nigeria. The virus is most dangerous during pregnancy, as it disrupts the normal development of the fetus and causes severe brain damage.
The Zika virus reached alarming proportions in February, when the WHO declared it one of the main threats to humanity and specialists from different countries tried to create a drug to treat the disease. A few months later, American scientists reported successful tests of a new drug against the Zika virus on primates and upcoming clinical trials involving volunteers.
Earlier, another team of researchers, also from America, had already begun testing a new vaccine, which it was decided to conduct in Puerto Rico, where the Zika virus is spreading quite quickly; according to scientists, it is in such conditions that the prophylactic qualities of the new drug can be assessed. If the tests are successful, the company that developed the vaccine will begin developing a drug for the Zika virus. It is worth noting that the drug has already been tested on people - volunteers from Canada and the United States took part in the tests, but the results of the testing will be published in a few months.
Experts warn that the Zika virus affects mucous tissues, particularly the eyes, and that tears may be the source of the disease (such conclusions were made after studying the spread of the virus after infection of rodents).