Here are seven updates:
1. Researchers to report preliminary results linking Zika to microcephaly in May. The CDC and scientists from Brazil’s health ministry are enrolling 100 mothers with babies that have microcephaly, as well as 300 to 400 pairs of mothers with healthy babies to determine if there is a link between Zika virus and microcephaly. Researchers expect to report preliminary results in May.
2. The 2016 Rio Olympics is a go. Bruce Aylward, MD, executive director of the World Health Organization, said Brazil will have a “fantastic, successful” Olympics. Although an estimated 1.5 million Brazilians may have Zika virus, Dr. Aylward said he expects most people will have immunity by the time the Olympics commences.
3. The virus may cause future mental illness. Researchers believe the disease may impact the mental health of children who appear to be born healthy. Evidence is mounting proving exposure in utero to infections like rubella, herpes and flu may contribute to higher rates of schizophrenia, autism and bipolar disorder.
4. Puerto Rico to import all blood supply for $100,000 each week. Because of the virus, Puerto Rico will begin importing all its blood supply from the continental United States for $100,000 each week. Puerto Rico has a $70 billion debt and a poverty rate of 45 percent.
5. United States and Brazil team up to combat Zika. Brazil and the United States will share resources as well as information to devise a vaccine for the disease.
6. Scientists question fact concerning virus. Zika experts often cite that one in five infected people do not feel any symptoms, making the virus difficult to detect. However, this fact is based on a single study, which was published in the small island, Yap. Many researchers are questioning this statistic, especially Brazilian researchers who say Brazil is much larger than Yap, home to a little more than 7,000 residents.
7. CDC issues first guidelines for babies and children infected with Zika virus. The CDC issued their first Zika guidelines on Feb. 19 for physicians who treat children and infants.
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