At APBioNETTalks 7, Gabriel Wallau shed light on a growing threat: mosquito-borne viruses, or “arboviruses,” causing more and more outbreaks in South America. He emphasized the need to understand these viruses globally, as they hit people in different ways depending on the type.
Dr. Wallau focused on the history and spread of dengue and Zika in Brazil. His team analyzed the genes of viruses from a big dengue outbreak, learning key details about them that could help predict future cases. Moreover, he showcased the tools that he and his team built to analyze and understand the genetic data of the viruses. He emphasized the need for global cooperation to track these viruses and understand their impact, especially the ones that mutate quickly.