There is major worldwide concern this morning after scientists in Brazil have said they believe the deadly Zika virus which effects unborn babies, may have already crossed over to the common mosquito.
The news comes as the Brazilian government has said they are struggling to contain the devastating virus. According to scientists at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in Recife, Pernambuco State, in the northeast of Brazil, the potentially fatal virus has now spread to the Culex mosquito (common mosquito) after initial reports suggested that virus was only being carried by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is confined to the tropic regions.
The scientists say they are currently about a month away from confirming that the virus is also being carried Culex mosquito, but believe the virus is already being transmitted by the common mosquito due to the rapid rise in suspected cases. If confirmed the impact of the virus will have devestating affect worldwide as it is believed there are up to 20 times more Culex mosquitos in existence compared to Aedes aegypti, which in turn dramatically increases the chances of the virus being spread to the Americas, Africa, Asia, Australia and maybe even southern Europe.
The lead research scientist in charge of the case at the foundation, Constancia Ayres, told reporters that if her suspicions are confirmed, the implications could be huge, saying: “It means much more combined efforts from a lot of other countries are going to be needed to combat this virus.”
The news of the potential spreading of the virus will have health authorities worldwide on high alert as the virus causes extreme abnormal defects in the unborn fetuses development. It has already been reported that up to 4,000 babies were born with brain deformities in Brazil since the outbreak.