According to the Brazilian health ministry, there is now a confirmed link between microcephaly (a rare neurodevelopmental disorder) and the Zika virus, which is transmitted by dengue mosquitoes.
It has been reported that the outbreak of microcephaly in the region “is a unique situation in global scientific research."
They arrived at this conclusion through closer examination of one infant's cause of death. The infant had been born with microcephaly and other deformities.
Effects and incidence rate of Zika Virus
Zika virus is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder which causes microcephaly, a congenital disease which results in impaired development resulting in smaller skull and stunted intellectual development.
So far this year, a total of 379 cases have been identified throughout Brazil. A sudden leap compared to 2014's 147 reported cases.
But the Zika virus has not only been seen in infants. One adult and a teenager were the first patients to have died due to the said virus.
Though fatal, the Zika virus has oddly been deemed a "milder form of dengue" due to its similarity in symptoms, the most common being: fever, rash, joint pain, and reddening of the eyes.
Cases of Zika virus have also been reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Guatemala and El Salvador.
The WHO are currently working on making sure prevention measures are in place as they remain on the lookout for new cases.
How can we prevent the Zika virus?
According for the Center for Disease Control (CDC), outbreaks of the Zika virus have been recorded in Africa, Southeast Asia (including the Philippines), and the Pacific Islands.
There is no known vaccine or medicine for the virus as of now. The main method of prevention is similar to dengue prevention: use insect repellant, wear long sleeves and pants, and staying in air-conditioned rooms when travelling to affected areas.
The CDC also confirmed that there are no known cases so far of the virus being transmitted via childbirth or breastfeeding.
There has been one report of transmission via sexual contact but it has not been confirmed whether it can be transmitted through blood transfusion though, according to CDC, this is highly possible.
Below is a map released by the CDC indicating countries with the most reported cases of the Zika virus as of October 2015.
Read: Dengue cases in the Philippines near 100,000 mark: how to protect your family
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