Seoul to fund Zika virus research
South Korea's science ministry said Thursday it will spend 3 billion won for research study on the Zika virus, amid concerns that it could reach the country.
The Ministry of Science, ICT, and Future Planning said it plans to select three teams of researchers, providing 1 billion won to each, to find solutions to different tasks related to coping with the virus.
The researchers will develop core-technologies related to the treatment of the Zika virus, as well as diagnosis kits that can promptly find out if a patient is infected.
The Zika virus is almost non-fatal, causing only mild symptoms like fever, joint and muscle pain, headaches and bloodshot eyes.
However, it can cause birth defects such as microcephaly, a debilitating condition where a baby is born with an abnormally small head and brain.
The ministry said the preemptive move is vital as the country lacks know-how in dealing with the Zika virus, adding it cannot rule out the possibility of an outbreak in South Korea.
South Korea has so far had no confirmed Zika virus cases.
The government earlier said the Asian tiger mosquito has been cited for the spread of the virus, and that its control efforts will be centered on this insect. The tiger mosquito becomes active around May. (Yonhap)