Reemergent, Likely Neurotropic Zika Virus Evokes Massive Response

Abstract

After being discovered nearly 70 years ago, the Zika virus took its sweet time before being reclassified as a public health menace. However, since late last year, it zoomed to the top of the charts. Thus, both international and national health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Ga., are giving it high-profile attention. WHO officials in February declared the virus “a public health emergency of international concern.” Reflecting that concern, many scientific publishers recently announced that they are lifting embargos and granting immediate open access to reports on this subject in hopes of more quickly bringing this worrisome upstart virus under better control.