Zika Does Cause Brain Defects, CDC Study Confirms

After weeks of study and debate, USA health officials have confirmed that the mosquito-borne Zika virus causes birth defects including microcephaly.

The CDC said it also is clear that Zika causes other serious defects, including damaging calcium build-ups in the developing brain.

Zika virus has been officially linked to babies born with a birth defect known as microcephaly and other brain abnormalities, according to U.S. health officials. Rather, increasing evidence from a number of recently published studies and an evaluation using established scientific criteria support the authors’ conclusions.

Two Clark County residents – a man who traveled to Guatemala and a woman who visited Brazil – were previously confirmed to have Zika virus disease.

In what could be called as a breakthrough, scientists have claimed that zika virus could affect infants.

Here is a look at microcephaly and other birth defects caused by Zika virus.

In areas where Zika is spread by mosquitos, it’s exceedingly hard to actually prove that transmission of the virus happened by sexual intercourse.

Though the virus itself was no longer conclusively detectable in either of the men’s samples, a more thorough test showed that the man who had not traveled had been infected with Zika.

SCPH said the most commonly seen symptoms of the Zika virus are mild, however, including fever, joint pain, rash or conjunctivitis (red eyes).

Fernando Ruiz, the deputy health minister, told a news conference that more cases of microcephaly were expected in babies born between May and September. However, not all women who are infected with Zika will have babies with these problems, the statement noted. Health officials declined to say where the person lives. They often only last for a few days.

There are fears the problem is only going to get worse in South America, the Caribbean and North America with the onset of mosquito season this spring and summer.

They also highlighted wider issues resulting from the virus.

Brazil said on Tuesday it had confirmed 1,113 cases of Zika-related microcephaly.

Zika is often transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, the main type believed to be the main culprit in the spread of the virus.