Zika Can Spread Via Tears Too

                Eyes may be a reservoir for Zika virus, say scientists. Evidence of the virus in the eyes and tears of infected mice raises the possibility that the infection may spread through tears. Zika virus causes mild disease in most adults but can cause brain damage and death in fetuses. About a third of all babies infected in uterus with Zika show symptoms of eye diseases like inflammation of the optic nerve retinal damage or blindness after birth. In adults, Zika can cause conjunctivitis – redness and itchiness of the eyes – and in rare cases, a condition known as uveitis that can lead to permanent vision loss.

                Researchers study suggests that the eye could be a reservoir for Zika virus. They need to consider whether people with Zika have infectious virus in their eyes and how long it actually persists. To determine what effect Zika infection has on the eye, the researchers infected adult mice under the skin and found live virus in the eyes seven days later. The observations confirm that Zika is able to travel to the eye. It is not yet known whether the virus typically makes that trip by crossing the blood retina barrier that separates the eye from the bloodstream, travelling along the optic nerve that connects the brain and the eye, or some other route. Eye infection raises the possibility that people could acquire Zika infection through contact with tears from infected people.