Thoughts on why anybody needs a patent on Zika? (infection, virus, cure)

[poodlestix]

This link shows the patent on the Zika virus. There's also a link on the lower left on the page that tells you "how to order".

Zika virus ATCC ® VR-84™

And here, under their FAQ section, is this:

Does ATCC distribute the Zika virus?

Yes, Zika virus (ATCC® VR-84™) strain MR766 has been distributed by ATCC since 1953. The virus is available through ATCC, and our designated International Distributors, for Research Purposes Only. Due to the recent high demand, the strain is currently on backorder pending production of a new lot.

Zika only lately started becoming a problem, so I'm wondering why this was patented decades ago? Why did it need to be brought to America in the first place?

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Research for a cure and prevention.

[suzy_q2010]

I do not see any mention of a patent.

[reed303]

Originally Posted by poodlestix

This link shows the patent on the Zika virus. There's also a link on the lower left on the page that tells you "how to order".

Zika virus ATCC ® VR-84™

And here, under their FAQ section, is this:

Does ATCC distribute the Zika virus?

Yes, Zika virus (ATCC® VR-84™) strain MR766 has been distributed by ATCC since 1953. The virus is available through ATCC, and our designated International Distributors, for Research Purposes Only. Due to the recent high demand, the strain is currently on backorder pending production of a new lot.

Zika only lately started becoming a problem, so I'm wondering why this was patented decades ago? Why did it need to be brought to America in the first place?

This from Etymologia: Zika Virus - Volume 20, Number 6

"In 1947, scientists researching yellow fever placed a rhesus macaque in a cage in the Zika Forest (zika meaning “overgrown” in the Luganda language), .....in Uganda. A fever developed in the monkey, and researchers isolated from its serum a transmissible agent that was first described as Zika virus in 1952. It was subsequently isolated from a human in Nigeria in 1954. From its discovery until 2007, confirmed cases of Zika virus infection from Africa and Southeast Asia were rare. "