Scientists infect volunteers with Zika in hunt for vaccines, treatments

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have successfully infected human volunteers with the Zika virus in a controlled environment. This study, approved by US regulators and the World Health Organization, aims to gain a better understanding of the disease and develop vaccines and treatments. Zika is a viral infection spread by mosquitoes, which can be dangerous for pregnant women and cause birth defects. The researchers infected 20 female volunteers, who all developed mild illnesses.