Government officials begin testing an experimental vaccine designed to prevent zika virus infection, announced the national Institute of Allergy and infectious diseases (NIAID).

The study is at an early stage will assess safety of the vaccine and its ability to generate immune response. Testing agreed 80 volunteers aged 18 to 35 years. "If this vaccine works, it will be a very big deal," said chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon's Feet.

A few days ago it became known that the virus Zeke got to Florida. Authorities confirmed the first cases of zika virus infection locally transmitted by mosquitoes in the U.S. mainland. At least 15 people have been infected in the first place in the district of wynwood in Miami-Dade County. Center for control and prevention of diseases of the USA has warned pregnant women that they didn't go to that part of the country, where rampant Zeke.

Most people who are infected with the virus, Zeke noticed only mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. The virus is especially serious for pregnant women, as it had been established that it causes serious birth defect called microcephaly in infants.

According to the CDC, Zeke is actively distributed in more than 50 countries and territories, mostly in Latin America. There is currently no vaccine or cure for the virus.

Potential vaccine Zeke includes a small, round piece of DNA called a plasmid, which scientists have designed, it contain genes that encode proteins of the virus. When plasmid was injected in the arm, the muscle cells read genes and proteins find viral cells. The body then develops an immune response to these cells. NIAID emphasizes that DNA vaccines do not contain infectious materials, and thus can not cause harm to the person. This type of vaccine was also safe in previous clinical trials for other diseases.

Testing will be held at three sites in the United States: the national Institute of health clinical center in Bethesda, Maryland
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