Friday, May 20, 2016

Zika infections climbing in U.S.,experts concerned about summer - from TRUNEWS

(TRUNEWS) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claim they are keeping their eyes on 279 pregnant women who may be infected with Zika virus in the U.S. and its territories, like Puerto Rico, which has the highest number, according to The Washington Post.

With the summer months approaching, there is even more concern others will become infected.

The mosquito-born virus has been known to cause pregnancy complications, including microcephaly, as reported by TRUNEWS.  Babies with microcephaly are born with small heads and suffer cognitive and developmental disabilities.

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There has been a sharp uptick in Zika births in several Latin American countries such as Brazil and Columbia.  It has caused some women to delay getting pregnant, and others to abort. In the U.S., two women infected with the virus ended their pregnancies, according to a CDC report from February.

“One challenge of this Zika virus outbreak is the lack of understanding of the magnitude of risk and the spectrum of outcomes associated with Zika virus infection during pregnancy,” researchers wrote in a report published Friday.

Congress wants more resources to deal with the growing health concern. The Senate just approved $1.1 billion for emergency funding.  President Obama had asked for more money.

The World Health Organization is worried about Zika spreading to Africa.

There are more than 7,000 suspected cases in Cape Verde, and about 180 of those infections are among pregnant women. Three babies have been born with microcephaly.

WHO said Zika has been around in Africa for more than 50 years, at low levels, according to BBC.

The post Zika infections climbing in U.S.,experts concerned about summer appeared first on TRUNEWS with Rick Wiles.



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