In a report by ABS-CBN news, health officials confirmed two cases of microcephaly in the district of Mandurriao in Iloilo. In 2016, Iloilo reported Zika virus cases although none of them were pregnant women.
Pregnant women infected with the Zika virus have been reported to give birth to babies with unusually small heads, a birth defect known as microcephaly.
Dr. Bernard Caspe from the Iloilo Health Office revealed to ABS-CBN news that, since one of the moms of the two babies tested negative for Zika, the birth defect found the infant could be attributed to other cause. He also admitted they didn’t know much about the second case of microcephaly due to a lack of cooperation from the baby’s family.
As for other causes of microcephaly, Dr. Caspe counted drinking, smoking, and taking inapproriate medication as part of the list.
As of February 2017, there are 57 Zika cases in the country. Of these confirmed case, seven are pregnant women.
Watch the full report below.
READ: Pregnant 16-year-old tests positive for Zika virus in Las Piñas
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