By Molly Shen

SEATTLE -- On the heels of the World Health Organization declaring a public health emergency related to the Zika virus, local scientists said they are already working on a cure. And if they're able to treat Zika, it could also mean a cure for viruses ranging from West Nile to Ebola, to the common cold.

Scientists at biotech company Kineta and the University of Washington are developing the compound. Just like antibiotics treat bacterial infections, their antiviral drug would fend off a range of viruses.

By Cheryl Katz

PUBLISHED Mon Feb 01 05:30:13 EST 2016

Update: The World Health Organization declared Zika a global emergency on Monday. The declaration by the UN agency likely will increase funding and research efforts to control the outbreak.

By Marilyn Parsons

'Waiting until they are on our doorstep is reckless and shortsighted'

Adjunct Research Professor Annette Fitzpatrick has been named the new SPH Assistant Dean for Graduate Education, overseeing the Office of Student Affairs, guiding curriculum changes, and creating partnerships across UW and the community, among other initiatives. Dr. Fitzpatrick is a Research Professor in the Departments Family Medicine, Epidemiology, and Global Health (adjunct) with expertise in aging and chronic disease focusing on hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and dementia in US and global settings. Congrats, Dr. Fitzpatrick!