First Case of Zika-related Microcephaly in Spain

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.

Health authorities in Spain said they had detected the country's first known case of the microcephaly birth defect in the foetus of a pregnant woman infected with the Zika virus.

"A pregnant woman was infected by Zika and dengue and the foetus has shown various defects," the health authority of the Catalonia region said in a statement.

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.

‘Microcephaly is a birth defect where baby’s brain has not developed properly during pregnancy or has stopped growing after birth resulting in a smaller than expected when compared to babies of the same sex and age.’

This was Spain's first case of Zika-related microcephaly, where babies are born with abnormally small heads and sometimes brain damage.

A total of 105 people in Spain have been infected with the mosquito-borne Zika virus, according to official statistics from May 3.

Spanish authorities have said all the infection cases -- including 13 pregnant women -- are "imported cases" found in people either "from, or who have visited affected countries" in Latin America.

Test Your Knowledge on Zika Virus
Zika virus is a mosquito-borne virus that causes fever, headache, skin rashes, joint and muscle pain in infected individuals. The symptoms usually last for only 2 to 7 days. Fetal symptoms vary and have led to International concern.

The current Zika outbreak began in early 2015 in Brazil, where some 1.5 million infections have been reported. Since then, the epidemic has spread to several other countries in the Americas.

Scientists believe the virus to be responsible for a surge in Brazilian infants born with microcephaly.

Zika Virus � A New Mosquito-Borne Disease in the West
Zika virus infection represents another arbovirus or mosquito-borne viral disease to affect the Americas. Currently, there is no cure for Zika virus disease.

There is no vaccine or treatment for the virus, which in most people causes only mild symptoms -- a rash, joint pain or fever.

Source-AFP

Zika Virus Spreads Through Organ Transplantation
Zika virus spread has caused international concern and transplant professionals are now warned about an emerging risk via transplantation.