Zika-Related Microcephaly Cases Reach 5 in Colombia: National Institute of Health Bulletin

The zika virus has infected nearly 84,000 people since officials began monitoring the outbreak in October 2015. Since then, there have been 6,400 confirmed cases of Zika infection and another 77,500 suspected cases. The total of both groups include 15,038 pregnant women.

Five infants have been born with Zika-related microcephaly in Colombia since officials began monitoring the outbreak of the mosquito-borne virus, the country's health authorities said Saturday, May 21, 2016.

Zika Fever - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention
Zika virus is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes which causes mild fever with maculopapular rash. No treatment or vaccine is currently available.

‘Five infants have been born with Zika-related microcephaly in Colombia since officials began monitoring the outbreak of the mosquito-borne virus.’

Tweet it Now

The first two Zika-related cases of microcephaly - infants born with abnormally small heads and brains - were reported in mid-April, 2016, and three more were reported Saturday, in a National Institute of Health (INS) bulletin.

Health officials have said they estimate some 300 infants expected to be born between May 2016 and September 2016 will have Zika-related microcephaly, given the number of infected pregnant women who have not yet given birth.

Since December 2015 there have also been 529 cases of neurological disorder - mainly Guillain-Barre Syndrome - with symptoms similar to Zika, which specialists are still studying.

First Zika Virus-Related Death in France's Caribbean Island of Martinique
The French Caribbean island of Martinique has suffered its first Zika virus-related death, the regional health agency reported.

The health ministry said in December 2015 that the average number of infants born with microcephaly in Colombia (population 48 million) each year before the Zika outbreak was 129.

The Zika virus usually triggers only mild, flu-like symptoms. It is mainly spread by two species of Aedes mosquito, but has also been shown to transmit through sexual contact. There is no vaccine to prevent Zika.

Zika Fears Push USA to Shift Pre-Olympic Training Camp to Atlanta
Zika is carried by mosquitos and has been linked to birth defects. Physicians also fear it might contribute to other health issues.

Source-AFP

Brazil Army to Go 'House to House' in Battle Against Zika
Zika virus is linked to serious birth defects, including microcephaly, in which babies born to women infected during pregnancy have abnormally small heads.