How Zika Infection During Pregnancy can Damage Placenta

Zika virus damages a pregnant mother's placenta, an organ inside a woman's uterus that helps protect and care for a growing baby. Recent research describes how Zika virus infection in five pregnant rhesus monkeys caused placental tissues to become thickened and inflamed. As a result, the researchers saw less oxygen being transported across the placenta and to the baby. Decreased oxygen levels in a placenta can impair fetal development and ultimately the health of a baby after its born.