Latin American countries ask women to delay pregnancy as Zika virus outbreak spreads

[davidn3600]

Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador and Jamaica recommended to delay pregnancies until more was known about the mosquito-borne Zika virus.

This followed an outbreak in Brazil.

Brazil said the number of babies born with suspected microcephaly - or abnormally small heads - had reached nearly 4,000 since October.

Meanwhile, US health authorities have warned pregnant women to avoid travelling to more than 20 countries in the Americas and beyond, where Zika cases have been registered.

The link between microcephaly and Zika has not been confirmed - but a small number of babies who died had the virus in their brain and no other explanation for the surge in microcephaly has been suggested.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-35388842

Zika was first discovered in the Zika forest in Uganda in 1947. It appeared to be a rare infection until only the last 10 years or so where it has spread to the South Pacific and recently South America. The virus is a mild infection for most people and many times does not even show symptoms. However, it has been linked to severe and sometimes fatal birth defects. The CDC is also investigating links to other potentially serious disorders.

The virus is spread by mosquitoes.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I recently heard about this virus, and saw the pictures of affected babies.

It's horrifying to see their microcephalic heads.

[ellenrr]

2. I saw on Euronews last nite that Brazil says that their situation is "out of control"

really scary...

[malaise]

3. Jamaica is not in Latin America but our health folks have

asked our women to postpone their pregnancies. It sounds great but since most of pregnancies are not planned, it's a bit of a joke.

[a la izquierda]

4. That's rich.

Maybe these countries should provide birth control for women and, you know, allow them some control over their bodies.