Zika Could Be Linked To Wider Range Of Birth Defects, WHO Announces

CIDRAP News: WHO: Array of Zika birth defects equals new syndrome
“Because of mounting reports that maternal Zika virus infections are linked to a wider range of birth defects than previously thought, the World Health Organization (WHO) [on Friday] announced that the collective effects represent a new congenital syndrome, with efforts under way to define it…” (Schnirring, 6/3).

CNN: Zika’s ground zero: Generation of babies born with microcephaly face uncertain future
“…Discoveries [of Zika] are happening every day at the Altino Ventura Foundation Clinic in Recife. … This port city in Brazil’s northeast was Ground Zero for the country’s Zika outbreak; months on, it is seeing the babies born under a global spotlight age quietly, their symptoms and burdens growing daily…” (Cotovio/Paton Walsh, 6/6).

Quartz: The WHO is expanding the list of birth defects that might be caused by Zika
“Only weeks after confirming that Zika is indeed linked to microcephaly, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced in its June bulletin that there might be a wider range of birth defects caused by the virus. Beyond microcephaly, WHO says there is evidence of a connection between Zika and conditions that include seizures, cardiac issues, feeding difficulties, disproportionated faces, and eye problems…” (Merelli, 6/3).

Reuters: WHO experts say Zika may cause birth defects in thousands of babies
“…Health officials had previously concluded that Zika infection in pregnant women was a cause of microcephaly in babies … They now believe the range of potential neurological problems in infants could be much wider…” (Berkrot, 6/3).

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