Zika Virus Tied to Potential Brain Damage in Newborns

Up to December 12, 2015, the Brazilian ministry had been notified of 2,401 suspected cases of microcephaly linked to Zika virus infection in pregnancy. Of these, 2,165 are under investigation, 134 have been confirmed and 102 have been discarded.

The most common symptoms of Zika infection are mild fever, rash, headache, joint pain and non-purulent conjunctivitis, which is red eye with no pus. One out of four people may not develop symptoms, but those who do, experience them from two to seven days. Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon. A baby born with microcephaly has a smaller-than-normal head, caused by abnormal brain growth or because the brain stops growing. The brain fails to grow as the infant develops, and the condition often results in serious neurological and development problems and sometimes early death.

By December 22, 2015, a team at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICB) at the University of Sao Paulo (Brazil) had already developed cultures for growing Zika in cells, a necessary first step for experiments and for obtaining diagnoses via DNA. Within a month, they expect to have a blood test for diagnosing Zika that is cheaper and easier than a DNA test. Angela Rocha, MD a pediatric infectologist, said, “It's a very personal decision, but at this moment of uncertainty, if families can put off their pregnancy plans, that's what we're recommending."

Related Links:
Brazilian Ministry of Health
University of São Paulo