At the top of that list is determining whether – and how – the virus is linked to birth defects such as microcephaly, as well as to cases of a rare autoimmune disorder known as Guillain-Barré syndrome.
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The virus puts the International Olympic Committee, as well as national organizations and sports federations around the world, in the position of being educators to make sure athletes are armed with information about Zika and its risks.
“Every European country in which Aedes mosquitos are present can be at risk for the spread of Zika virus disease”, said WHO Europe chief Zsuzsanna Jakab said a fortnight ago.
“While the Zika virus is of greatest risk to pregnant women, it is understandably concerning to many of us”.
In January, the CDC advised pregnant women to consider postponing travel to any areas where active transmission of Zika is occurring. Four out of five do not realize they have been infected, according to the CDC.
The advisory also includes advice for women who are trying to become pregnant.
The Zika virus, which was until recently limited to a handful of countries in equatorial Africa and Asia, first appeared in Brazil in May. “It’s a consistent concern, generally for women like us who are so distant along since a options are limited”.
The Zika virus may be transmissible through sex long after the carrier was infected, as it remains in the semen. The CDC has issued travel notices for Cape Verde, the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, the Pacific Islands and South America.
“It’s more evidence to me that this association is continuing to look stronger and stronger”, said Dr. Richard Beigi, president of The Infectious Diseases Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology, who had seen the reports. Reportedly, a women has been infected by her partner after he returned from Brazil. At least two of the pregnant women have chosen to have abortions, two have suffered miscarriages, and one woman gave birth to a baby with a severe birth defect called microcephaly.
Deputy Health director-general (Medical) Datuk Dr S. Jeyaindran said the ministry normally looked at the WHO’s guidelines as it is more rational.
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Zika infection. The mother miscarried at eight weeks, and an analysis of the fetus detected Zika virus. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that can carry the virus are found in the tropics and Southern United States. The current outbreak originated in Brazil in 2015 and later spread across Latin America.
