Why humans (and not mice) are susceptible to Zika

Flaviviruses — such as Zika, dengue, and yellow fever — have emerged as human pathogens because of their ability to specifically overcome our anti-viral defenses. In the case of Zika, researchers that one of the virus’s seven non-structural proteins (NS5) is singularly responsible for blocking the action of interferons (proteins that stop viral replication) in human cells, while mouse cells are unaffected.