Zika Virus in the US: First Baby with Zika-Related Microcephaly Born in New Jersey
Infected Mother Visiting US from Honduras
A baby said to be suffering from Zika virus-related microcephaly was born in a New Jersey hospital on Tuesday, the first case with such condition in the state.
The Hackensack University Medical Center reported the first case of the Zika-related birth where the baby was delivered through cesarean section, CNN said. Hospital director of medical and fetal medicine Dr. Abdulla Al-Kahan said both the mother and her baby girl are now in stable condition.
"The mother is stable, obviously sad, which is the normal emotional reaction given the situation," the doctor added. Al-Kahan noted that the mom did not want to be identified as she is just visiting the country from Honduras.
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She first came to the hospital on Friday where she had an ultrasound that showed her baby had microcephaly. Al-Kahan said when he saw the appearance of the child, he knew that it was Zika-related. It was added that the mother traveled to the United States for a visit and to get proper medical care since she suspected that she had the Zika virus.
It was mentioned in The Record report that the mother was bitten by a mosquito when she was still a few months in her pregnancy as she observed rashes on her body. The hospital expressed that it will provide the woman and her baby with the best care they can give.
Fox News added that the Zika virus was not detected in her home country but was only diagnosed when she got admitted at the Hackensack medical facility. An aunt of the baby's mother said she is emotionally affected with the condition of her child.
Though Zika is a short and mild illness, it greatly affects pregnant women because it could cause fetal deaths and birth defects among newborns. Babies born with the deficiencies caused by Zika usually function as normal individuals until they start growing up.
NBC New York explained that as these babies develop into toddlers, they will have problems with their vision and hearing. There is also the possibility that they will have physical disabilities as they become big kids. Up until now, there is still no known cure for the disease.
To lessen the number of Zika infections, the World Health Organization has warned women who have visited a country where the virus is prevalent to wait for about eight weeks before they attempt to get pregnant. Their partners are also advised to watch out for Zika symptoms and ensure protection when having sex since Zika can be transmitted through intercourse.
