Study finds Zika virus in fetal brain, a clue in outbreak

The Oregon woman had traveled to a country where Zika is in circulation, and was experiencing symptoms of the illness when she was tested, Oregon public health physician Dr. Richard Leman said. That has especially been an issue in Brazil, which garnered widespread attention after a number of babies whose mothers had contracted Zika while pregnant were born with microcephaly. Suspected cases will be referred to healthcare facilities for follow-up.

A pregnant Queensland woman diagnosed with the Zika virus won’t know the impact on her unborn baby until after she gives birth. Scientists say the hotter it gets, the better the mosquito that carries Zika virus is at transmitting a variety of risky illnesses.

The agency, which declared a health emergency over Zika on February 1, did not recommend travel restrictions but suggested women should consult their doctors or authorities if travelling.

“For example, Colombia had 3000 pregnant women with Zika, no cases of microcephaly”.

They stressed that county officials are working closely with state and federal governments to monitor the virus and obtain the most up-to-date information. We again urge those arriving from Zika-affected areas to apply insect repellent for 14 days upon arrival to reduce the risk of transmission.

Thirty-one organizations announced Wednesday that they will share data and results relevant to the current Zika crisis and future public health emergencies as rapidly and openly as possible. There is as yet no vaccine or treatment for the disease.

Trudie Lang, director of the Global Health Network, said the response to Zika – even more so than in the case of Ebola – was being hamstrung by the many unknowns.

Infectious diseases professor Mark Woolhouse from the University of Edinburgh described the commitment as one of the most welcome developments in decades.

The Zika outbreak has raised the issue of a woman’s reproductive rights including abortion, a contentious issue in much of Latin America.

A medical termination of the pregnancy was performed at 32 weeks, and the fetus at delivery showed “prominent microcephaly”.

More evidence is needed to confirm whether sex commonly transmits the Zika virus, it said, noting that Zika has been found in semen and citing a report of sexual transmission in the United States.

“We’re committed to protecting the health of Pennsylvanians and we will be sharing with you what our plans are”, Murphy said.

The mosquito-borne virus, which is widespread in Brazil and has been linked to birth defects, has prompted concern among athletes and sports officials around the world as they prepare for the August 5-21 Games in Rio de Janeiro.