2. Urine test quickly detects Zika to protect unborn babies
Beaumont Hospital scientists in Royal Oaks, Mich., have developed what they say is a quick and easy test to detect Zika virus.
The urine test only takes 30 minutes to produce results.
“When we discovered we could reliably detect Zika virus in urine, we knew we had the potential to change lives all over the world,” said Dr. Laura Lamb, a urology scientist at Beaumont Hospital, in a press release.
While the urine test is still in the research phase and needs additional funding for worldwide benefits, the researchers hope to use the same urine test concept to detect other infectious diseases.
“We are currently working on developing a urine-based test that would allow for rapid and accurate detection of not only Zika but also viruses such as dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya and West Nile virus,” said Lamb. “Detecting these viruses earlier allows us to provide treatment faster and potentially save lives.”