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.
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.
Comment