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ErisDiscordia

(443 posts)
Thu Feb 4, 2016, 09:51 AM Feb 2016

Zika: Outbreak worse than predicted because virus has no symptoms, warns Brazilian health minister

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/zika-epidemic-is-worse-than-predicted-because-virus-has-no-symptoms-warns-brazil-a6848181.html

...A relatively harmless fever when it manifests itself in the body, Zika is most feared for its links to microcephaly: a condition where babies develop brain damage and their heads can appear shrunken.

However, the majority of people infected show no symptoms, meaning pregnant women can be unaware they are infected and that their babies are potentially vulnerable to microcephaly.

Pregnant women, who have been urged to protect themselves from mosquito bites, must instead wait until they undergo an ultrasound to discover whether their baby has been affected by the condition.

Marcelo Castro, the health minister of the country understood to be the worst affected by Zika, told Reuters: “Eighty per cent of the people infected by Zika do not develop significant symptoms.

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