Colombia - NIH:2 cases of microcephaly linked to Zika virus - April 14, 2016

[Pathfinder]

Colombia says two cases of microcephaly linked to Zika virus

Source: Reuters - Thu, 14 Apr 2016 15:07 GMT


BOGOTA, April 14 (Reuters) - Colombia's health ministry said on Thursday it had confirmed two cases of the rare birth defect microcephaly are connected to the mosquito-borne Zika virus, after the disease was linked to more than a thousand confirmed cases of microcephaly in Brazil.
...
http://news.trust.org/item/20160414151037-6vjsl

 

[sharon sanders]

Government report:


Colombia confirmed two cases of microcephaly first associated with zika

The epidemic drops precipitously and is estimated to have new cases in children born between May and September



Bogota (DC), April 14, 2016.- The National Institute of Health (NIH) reported the presence of microcephaly associated Zika virus, after analysis suspects whose cases strictly following the lead from the first epidemiological week of 2016.
The Deputy Minister of Public Health and Health Services Delivery, Fernando Ruiz G?mez, made the announcement after the results of the study by the INS.
"In the 12th epidemiological week of the year 33 cases of microcephaly was reported across the country for various reasons, which does not represent an increase in the usual statistics based on reports of the last five years," he described.
Ruiz G?mez revealed that of the 33 cases, 18 completed their analysis, 16 have been dismissed, two have been confirmed in residents of Norte de Santander (1) Cundinamarca (1); meanwhile 15 are still under study.
"In each case, the INS conducted a strict protocol consisting of three laboratory tests for infections by molecular technique and genetic testing of more than 500 bands, plus brain scan, ophthalmologic evaluation, hearing, consultation genetics neuropediatrics, as it requires, "he added.
This takes to make an accurate diagnosis consistent with the study protocol built by Colombia to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC, for its acronym in English) of Atlanta (USA).
On the two confirmed cases, the Deputy Minister clarified that the confidentiality of medical records and prevent law of habeas data reveal the names of the parents and minors, to safeguard their right to privacy.
To date -of according to official figures from INS are 70,000 clinical cases reported in the country zika.
He said that the management and territorial support the MoH in vector control, the nine stages of the Tour of Colombia against zika and appropriation of the public about the risks of aedes aegypti have allowed the attack rate was lower expected.
"However, the new estimates we project with the National Institute of Health realize that may occur between 95 and 300 cases of microcephaly, up to 380 cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome and a maximum of 200,000 clinical cases of the disease throughout the national territory, "he said
Meanwhile, Martha Lucia Ospina Martinez, CEO (e) INS declared that Colombia defined -in company CDC Atlanta- strict protocol to determine birth defects associated with zika.
"We have studied and will study each case likely to confirm or discard following a strict protocol, because each case at least ten tests are done; this means a commendable effort that should be recognized," he said.


http://www.ins.gov.co/Noticias/Pagin...os-a-zika.aspx

 

[Emily]

I think there was already a case of microcephaly reported in very early March along with a couple of other cases of abnormalities. So are the ones reported above new?

https://flutrackers.com/forum/forum...ects-detected-in-colombia-nature-march-4-2016