Gert van der Hoek
In Memoriam - Editor, Senior Moderator
[h=1]SANTO DOMINIGO, Jan 14 (BERNAMA-NNN-CMC) -- Women in the Dominican Republic have been urged to avert pregnancy due to the threat of the Zika Virus.[/h]
Public Health Minister Altagracia Guzman issued the warning due to the possibility that women infected with the virus could give birth to children with neurological and microcephaly (small head) deformations.
She said part of the first three months of pregnancy is vital to the formation of the foetus and the disease in that period poses a high risk.
Guzman said she agrees with a Brazilian doctor who recommends that women avoid pregnancy as long as the virus is present.
Hundreds of cases of children born with microcephaly, have been reported in Brazil, where their mothers contracted Zika during pregnancy.
"Every woman of childbearing age and (those who are) sexually active must use mosquito nets because they have the possibility of having a pregnancy if it's not planned", Guzman said.
Public Health Minister Altagracia Guzman issued the warning due to the possibility that women infected with the virus could give birth to children with neurological and microcephaly (small head) deformations.
She said part of the first three months of pregnancy is vital to the formation of the foetus and the disease in that period poses a high risk.
Guzman said she agrees with a Brazilian doctor who recommends that women avoid pregnancy as long as the virus is present.
Hundreds of cases of children born with microcephaly, have been reported in Brazil, where their mothers contracted Zika during pregnancy.
"Every woman of childbearing age and (those who are) sexually active must use mosquito nets because they have the possibility of having a pregnancy if it's not planned", Guzman said.