The birth defect microcephaly has been linked with the Zika virus since it first hit headlines in early 2015, but there had yet to be anything near conclusive on that front. Today, the results of a new study from the CDC was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, claiming that the link between a bite from a Zika-infected mosquito and the rare birth defect microcephaly is uncanny. Never before have researchers seen a link from a single bite from a mosquito leading to such a devastating birth defect.
While still much about the Zika virus is unknown, there have been links to birth defects and even affecting adult brains as well. Today’s study is different, though. ABC News reported on the findings today and that the link between the Zika virus and the birth defect are overwhelming, confirming long-held fears. Microcephaly is a birth defect where babies are born with undersized heads, usually a result of the brain not fully developing while in the uterus. The virus can go as far as to even liquefy an infant’s brain, which is horrifying. This can all happen because of one bite from an infected mosquito, making it terrifying considering how widespread mosquitoes are and how common a bite from one can be.
The New England Journal of Medicine is rushing a special report to publication tonight because they believe that Americans are not taking the virus seriously enough. The publication explains that the infection usually happens within the first or early second trimester of pregnancy. Their fears are that there will be hundreds of infected births in Puerto Rico, and that the US may be next.
(Via ABC News)
