First Baby Born With Zika-Related Microcephaly Reported in New York

The first case of Zika-related microcephaly was reported in the New York City. The baby was born with microcephaly- permanent brain and skull defect- due to infection of the mosquito-borne Zika virus.

The infant's mother was infected with Zika "while in an area with ongoing Zika transmission," and the baby "is positive for Zika," said the New York City Department of Health.

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Zika, a virus typically carried by mosquitoes, was first detected in the Central American country in November.

‘About 41 pregnant women in the New York City have tested positive for the Zika virus. Women who are trying to get pregnant are advised not to travel to places where there is active Zika transmission.’

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As of mid-July, there had been 12 cases of infants born with Zika-related defects in the United States, according to the latest figures from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In New York City, officials said more than 41 pregnant women have tested positive for the Zika virus, which can cause microcephaly, a condition in which the child is born with a head that is smaller than normal.

"While not surprising, given the travel trends of our global city, this case is a strong reminder of the tragic consequences of the Zika virus," said New York City Health Commissioner Mary Bassett.

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The increase in microcephaly is linked to an explosion of the mosquito-transmitted Zika virus, with an estimated 1.5 million people infected.

"I remind all pregnant women in New York City, and those trying to get pregnant, that they should delay travel to places where there is active Zika transmission. As we see today, the consequences for the child can be devastating," she said.

Zika can be spread via bites from an infected mosquito, or by sexual contact with a person who is ill with the virus.

Brazil Records Highest Zika-Related Microcephaly Cases
Northeastern states in Brazil have been hardest hit by Zika, especially Pernambuco with 336 cases), Bahia with 254 and Paraiba 139.

The Zika outbreak has spread through much of South and Central America and the Caribbean, as well as the US territory of Puerto Rico, and is blamed for more than 1,000 confirmed cases of microcephaly in Brazil.

So far, all known cases of Zika on the US mainland have been brought in by travelers or acquired through sex with infected travelers.

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A total of 105 people in Spain have been infected with the mosquito-borne Zika virus including 13 pregnant women either from or visited Brazil.

US health officials recently reported a total of 1,306 cases of Zika in the continental United States and Hawaii.

Florida is currently investigating two possible cases of non-travel-associated Zika.

Source-AFP