European money for researchers zikavirus

brussels - The European Commission is EUR 45 million for research into the zikavirus and other infectious diseases that are spread by mosquitoes. The money will be invested in research into treatments, diagnostics and vaccines, made EU Commissioner Carlos Moedas (Research, Science and Innovation) Friday.

The zikavirus surfaced last year in South America. Most people have no symptoms, but infection during pregnancy can cause the child gets a small head and brain abnormalities. The virus has been established so far in 95 Dutch passengers.

Of the money goes to 30 million zika research groups in Sweden, Italy and France. A consortium is developing a vaccine given 5 million and the Pasteur Institute in Paris receives 10 million for general research on insects that spread infectious diseases. ' These funds will give a tremendous boost to international efforts to stop the spread of the zikakoorts and babies and to protect adults, '' says Moedas.