Researchers have found the first full DNA sequence of the Zika virus from a semen sample, according to a study published [Oct. 13] in Genome Announcements, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology.
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Aside from confirming a well-documented phenomenon, the sheer fact that this is the first full sequence of a semen-dwelling Zika virus is huge.
“We have many unanswered questions about how Zika virus is able to be transmitted sexually, whereas similar viruses are not,” Barry Atkinson, a study author, said in a release. “It is possible that the answers to these questions lie in the viral genome, but many more sequences from semen are required before scientists can see if there are any changes that shed light on this topic.”
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Viruses spread by mosquitoes aren’t usually sexually transmitted. But Zika is different, and that makes it dangerous. By sequencing the genome, researchers can figure out what makes it so unique—and can hopefully figure out how to stop it from spreading.
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