The research team from the faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Alberta, in Edmonton, has identified the way a virus stops cells from committing suicide in their effort to slow their progress of illness through a body. This new research could have a huge and long-term impact on millions of lives hit by everything from West Nile virus to Dengue fever.

The researchers are also planning to study if other viruses use the same life-saving trickery to take over a body. The results of this research may allow doctors to destroy viruses before they have time to spread and do far greater damage. Viruses are difficult to kill because when they enter a body, they replicate.

An RNA virus, Rubella is the world’s leading cause of birth defects over any other infectious agent. RNA viruses are also linked to AIDS, influenza, hepatitis C, West Nile disease and Dengue fever.

Professor, Tom Hobman with the Department of Cell Biology says that more serious viruses are likely to do the same what RNA virus has been doing.

He added that if they succeeds to figure out how to keep the cell's self-destruct button functioning they will be able to provide early treatment for diseases that are making millions of people sick around the world.