The Zika virus, which is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, is strongly suspected to be linked to a new wave of microcephaly cases in Brazil. Babies born with the birth defect have smaller heads and brains that aren't fully developed, which can result in life-long developmental problems.
Zika is currently spreading through Central and South America and the Caribbean, and with the high volume of news about the virus, it's tough to stay up-to-date. Check out our full coverage, or read our daily recaps.
Here are five updates, opinions and developments to know about now:
1. Latin America is reporting an uptick in cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome
Cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome, a life-threatening neurological condition in which the body attacks its own nervous system, are increasing in Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Suriname and Venezuela, Reuters reports. While there's still no proven link between Guillain-Barré and Zika virus, scientists believe they may be able to prove a connection in coming weeks.
An increase in cases of Guillain-Barré, which can cause temporary paralysis and even death, also coincided with a Zika outbreak in French Polynesia in 2013-2014.
2. Abortion backlash seen among Brazilian families with disabled children
Activists and women's rights groups are pushing for looser abortion laws following a rise in cases of the birth defect microcephaly among Brazilian babies, but it's a contentious proposition in heavily Catholic Brazil. There's strong anti-abortion sentiment throughout the country, especially among families with disabled children, and in Catholic and Pentecostal churches.
"I know it's very difficult to have a special needs child, but I'm absolutely against abortion," Danielle Alves, whose 3-year-old son has microcephaly, told The Associated Press.
Abortion is currently illegal except in cases of rape, if the mother's life is in danger or if the fetus has anencephaly, a neurological birth defect. Wealthy women are able to receive abortions in private clinics, but options for low-income women are scare, especially in rural areas.
3. Russia reports its first Zika virus case
A Russian woman who had vacationed in the Dominican Republic returned home with a Zika virus infection, Reuters reports. Her condition is listed as “satisfactory,” and her family members do not have the virus.
4. Philippine Health Ministry advises people to delay pregnancy and travel
Despite the fact that the Philippines has not yet seen a Zika virus infection linked to this specific outbreak, health minister Janet Garin is advising families to postpone pregnancy if possible until scientists learn more about the disease, reports Reuters. The country’s health ministry is also asking Filipinos to avoid places with ongoing Zika virus transmission for fear that they may return with an infection and transmit it sexually to their partners. The last and only time the Philippines recorded a Zika virus infection was in 2012.
5. Zika virus cases increase in Colombia and Puerto Rico
More than 5,000 pregnant women in Colombia have Zika virus, among a total of 31,555 cases in the country, reports Reuters. So far, there are no reports of microcephaly birth defects linked to Zika virus, but the government is loosening the country’s restrictive abortion laws to allow women affected by Zika virus to access the medical service if they’d like.
Meanwhile, the virus has also spread in Puerto Rico, where 30 people have confirmed infections, reports LiveScience. No microcephalic births have been linked to these cases.
The countries and territories under travel alert by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are: American Samoa, Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Cape Verde, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Saint Martin, Samoa, Suriname, Tonga, Venezuela and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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