Saint Lucia: suspected case of Zika-linked microcephaly being investigated

[Pathfinder]

The Ministry of Health confirms that an investigation is underway to determine if a male infant born with a birth defect was affected by Zika virus

hotfm December 15, 2016 News 6

A baby and mother are presently receiving care at the hospital, as the Ministry of Health investigates whether there is a link to the baby?s birth defect and the Zika virus. The male infant was born on Friday 9th December with microcephaly ? where a baby?s head and brain are abnormally small. Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Sharon Belmar George, says during the year of 2016, Saint Lucia has recorded 5 microcephaly cases.
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http://www.caribbeanhotfm.com/blog/2016/12/15/the-ministry-of-health-confirms-that-an-investigation-is-underway-to-determine-if-a-male-infant-born-with-a-birth-defect-was-affected-by-zika-virus/

[tetano]

Saint Lucia is investigating a suspected case of Zika-related microcephaly in one baby, although three previous cases that were thought to be Zika-related turned out to be false.
Reports are that the latest microcephaly case was discovered on Friday.
Doctors are monitoring the baby and her mother at a local hospital. The Ministry of Health has already sent lab samples to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for testing.
Microcephaly in newborns can be caused by myriad complications, including the rubella virus, the bacterium that causes Syphilis, poisoning and poor nutrition.
The birth defect appears in 1-10 percent of babies whose mothers contract the Zika virus during the first trimester.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also said there is strong scientific consensus that Zika can cause Guillain-Barre, a rare neurological syndrome that causes temporary paralysis in adults.

http://www.stlucianewsonline.com/suspected-case-of-zika-linked-microcephaly-being-investigated/