Belize Government Detects First Case of Zika Virus in Pregnant Woman

Fifty-one warm-weather countries and territories around the world have reported Zika transmission to some degree, suggested a regularly updated online list maintained by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control. Most of them are in Latin America, the Caribbean and the South Pacific.

The mosquito-borne Zika virus can cause the birth defect microcephaly, which can cause babies to be born with unusually small heads and deformed brains. Belize's government last week announced first Zika patient, living in the capital Belize City.

‘Belize's government has detected the first case of Zika in a pregnant woman, bringing to two the number of people confirmed infected with the virus in the Central American country.’

The government said it has detected the first case of Zika in a pregnant woman, bringing to two the number of people confirmed infected with the virus in the Central American country.

The health ministry was also investigating another suspected case involving a pregnant woman, with tests underway, a statement said.

Source: AFP