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Zika Virus particle, semi-translucent animation showing core and envelope. Zika viruses are ss+RNA flaviviruses and have been implicated in microcephaly.
Zika Virus (ZIKV) particle surface is coated with envelope proteins, and a host-cell derived membrane lies sandwiched between the envelope proteins and the inner core. The core contains the RNA genome. Zika is an emerging threat, because it has been linked to birth defects (microcephaly). The virus is a ss+RNA flavivirus, related to West Nile Virus.