February 16, 2016.
The growing threat of the Zika virus must be addressed using a multi-pronged approach, says consulting firm GlobalData.
The firm's analayst for infectious diseases, Mirco Junker, Ph.D., commented: “The first step in fighting the Zika virus is to address the vector responsible for its transferral to humans – mosquitoes. Achievable actions, such as eliminating shallow standing water, using insecticides, and implementing next-generation genetic or microbiological approaches, would all contribute to the reduction of Zika vector populations."
The development of a reliable and cost-effective method to detect Zika infections is also of "paramount importance", said Junker. But while a vaccine offering strong and durable protection against Zika would be an effective long-term solution, the analyst warned that "this could take years to become a reality" as "the current lack of scientific data on [the virus] presents a major barrier".
Can Data and AI Deliver Whole-Person Health?
July 9th 2024Executives in the life sciences and medical device industries see promise in artificial intelligence (AI) and medical technologies, but must also navigate the changing healthcare ecosystem, varied stakeholder needs, and the impact of AI on market access and commercialization strategies.