Zika virus diagnosed in minutes with proof-of-concept tool

Testing for Zika currently requires a blood sample be refrigerated and shipped to a medical centre or laboratory, which delays diagnosis and possible treatment.

Although the new proof-of-concept technology has yet to be produced for use in medical situations, the test's results can be determined in minutes. The materials required for the test do not require refrigeration and may be applicable in testing for other emerging diseases.

Findings from the small study - from Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine and the School of Engineering & Applied Science - are available online in Advanced Biosystems.

The researchers are said to have tested blood samples taken from four people infected with Zika virus and compared it to blood from five people without it. Blood from Zika-infected patients tested positive, while blood from Zika-negative controls did not. The assay produced no false-positive results.

Among the reasons such a test is needed, according to the researchers, is that many people infected with Zika don't know they're infected. Although symptoms can include fever, joint pain, muscle pain and rash, many people don't feel ill after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Testing is particularly important for pregnant women because Zika infection can cause congenital Zika syndrome, which contributes to several neurologic problems in the foetus or new-born infant.