Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have determined the non-structural protein of the Zika virus. It plays a role in the development of other diseases such as dengue and West Nile.

Identifying the structure helps to diagnose infections. Other research teams are also eyeing the study for antiviral drug development. Since the outbreak in Brazil in 2014, Zika cases have been reported in over 30 countries and regions.

So far, there is no known vaccine or drug available to treat the virus. The latest study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that the Zika virus causes babies to be born with abnormally small heads and other severe brain defects.