From Caribbean News Now

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The first case of a zika virus-related birth defect known as microcephaly has been recorded in Puerto Rico, according to the Department of Health in San Juan. This is also the first case of microcephaly linked to local transmission of the virus in the US.

zika.jpg Microcephaly is a condition in which the brain does not develop properly, resulting in babies being born with a smaller than normal head.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) spokeswoman Erin Sykes said that they conducted a test to confirm the diagnosis.

“This case of zika virus disease in pregnancy saddens and concerns us as it highlights the potential for additional cases and associated adverse pregnancy outcomes,” she said.

The Puerto Rico Department of Health has reported 925 cases of zika virus. A total of 27 people have been hospitalized with the illness, including six cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome, which is also said to be triggered by the zika virus. In February, a 70-year-old Puerto Rican man died from complications caused by the zika virus.

Last month, the CDC said the zika situation for Puerto Rico and other US territories looks particularly grim, with potentially hundreds of thousands of residents affected by the virus.

“We are quite concerned about Puerto Rico, where the virus is spreading throughout the island,” said Dr Anne Schuchat, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) principal deputy director. “We think there could be hundreds of thousands of cases of zika virus in Puerto Rico, and perhaps hundreds of affected babies.”

Puerto Rico Health Secretary Dr Ana Ríus Armendáriz strongly recommended that health care providers should screen pregnant women with zika-like symptoms.

US states and territories can now apply to CDC for funds to fight zika locally. More than $85 million in redirected funds identified by the Department of Health and Human Services is being made available to support efforts to protect Americans from zika infection and associated adverse health outcomes, including microcephaly.

“These funds will allow states and territories to continue implementation of their zika preparedness plans, but are not enough to support a comprehensive zika response and can only temporarily address what is needed,” said Dr Stephen Redd, director of CDC’s Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response. “Without the full amount of requested emergency supplemental funding, many activities that need to start now are being delayed or may have to be stopped within months.”

The March of Dimes released a statement from chief medical officer Dr Edward McCabe calling on the US Congress to provide emergency funding immediately to combat the zika virus.

“Sadly, this is not likely to be the last case of zika-caused microcephaly in the United States. As summer approaches, there is a very real threat that zika virus could gain a foothold in the United States. If that happens, great numbers of pregnant women and women of childbearing age will be at risk for zika infection,” McCabe said.

“With every passing week of delay, it becomes less likely that funds – even if passed – can make a meaningful difference this summer. Puerto Rican authorities are doing the best they can with the limited resources available to them, but we are seeing the consequences of political indecision on the public’s health.

“The dreadful consequences of inaction will be borne by the most vulnerable: our nation’s infants and their families. Once again, the March of Dimes urges Congress to act immediately to provide the resources needed to prevent the zika virus from becoming endemic in the United States,” he added.

Although the zika virus is primarily spread by mosquitoes, the CDC has received reports of the virus being spread by sexual contact.

There is no vaccine or medication for the zika virus. Some people who are infected do not have any symptoms. People who do have symptoms have reported fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes. The sickness is usually mild with symptoms that last from several days to a week.

Dr Anthony Costello, Director of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health, answers some key questions on microcephaly and zika virus infection at link below:

For more on this story and video go to: http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/topstory-Puerto-Rico-confirms-first-zika-related-birth-defect-case-30411.html