User login
Photo by Nina Matthews
After reviewing existing evidence, scientists from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have concluded that Zika virus causes
microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects.
“This study marks a turning point in the Zika outbreak,” said Tom Frieden, MD, director of the CDC.
“It is now clear that the virus causes microcephaly. We’ve now confirmed what mounting evidence has suggested.”
Details on the CDC’s review were published in NEJM.
The report notes that no single piece of evidence provides conclusive proof that Zika virus infection is a cause of microcephaly and other fetal brain defects. Rather, increasing evidence from a number of recently published studies and a careful evaluation using established scientific criteria support the authors’ conclusions.
The finding that Zika virus infection can cause microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects means that a woman who is infected with Zika during pregnancy has an increased risk of having a baby with these health problems.
However, as we’ve seen during the current Zika outbreak, some infected women deliver babies that appear to be healthy.
The CDC said establishing the causal relationship between Zika and fetal brain defects is an important step in driving additional prevention efforts, focusing research activities, and reinforcing the need for direct communication about the risks of Zika.
However, the agency noted that many questions about the Zika virus remain. And answering these questions will be the focus of ongoing research.
The CDC also said it is not changing its current recommendations regarding the Zika virus. Pregnant women should continue to avoid travel to areas where Zika is actively spreading.
If a pregnant woman travels to or lives in an area with active Zika virus transmission, she should talk with her healthcare provider and take steps to prevent mosquito bites and sexual transmission of the virus.
The CDC also encourages women and their partners in areas with active Zika transmission to engage in pregnancy planning and counseling with their healthcare providers so they know the risks and the ways to mitigate them. 
Photo by Nina Matthews
After reviewing existing evidence, scientists from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have concluded that Zika virus causes
microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects.
“This study marks a turning point in the Zika outbreak,” said Tom Frieden, MD, director of the CDC.
“It is now clear that the virus causes microcephaly. We’ve now confirmed what mounting evidence has suggested.”
Details on the CDC’s review were published in NEJM.
The report notes that no single piece of evidence provides conclusive proof that Zika virus infection is a cause of microcephaly and other fetal brain defects. Rather, increasing evidence from a number of recently published studies and a careful evaluation using established scientific criteria support the authors’ conclusions.
The finding that Zika virus infection can cause microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects means that a woman who is infected with Zika during pregnancy has an increased risk of having a baby with these health problems.
However, as we’ve seen during the current Zika outbreak, some infected women deliver babies that appear to be healthy.
The CDC said establishing the causal relationship between Zika and fetal brain defects is an important step in driving additional prevention efforts, focusing research activities, and reinforcing the need for direct communication about the risks of Zika.
However, the agency noted that many questions about the Zika virus remain. And answering these questions will be the focus of ongoing research.
The CDC also said it is not changing its current recommendations regarding the Zika virus. Pregnant women should continue to avoid travel to areas where Zika is actively spreading.
If a pregnant woman travels to or lives in an area with active Zika virus transmission, she should talk with her healthcare provider and take steps to prevent mosquito bites and sexual transmission of the virus.
The CDC also encourages women and their partners in areas with active Zika transmission to engage in pregnancy planning and counseling with their healthcare providers so they know the risks and the ways to mitigate them.
Photo by Nina Matthews
After reviewing existing evidence, scientists from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have concluded that Zika virus causes
microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects.
“This study marks a turning point in the Zika outbreak,” said Tom Frieden, MD, director of the CDC.
“It is now clear that the virus causes microcephaly. We’ve now confirmed what mounting evidence has suggested.”
Details on the CDC’s review were published in NEJM.
The report notes that no single piece of evidence provides conclusive proof that Zika virus infection is a cause of microcephaly and other fetal brain defects. Rather, increasing evidence from a number of recently published studies and a careful evaluation using established scientific criteria support the authors’ conclusions.
The finding that Zika virus infection can cause microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects means that a woman who is infected with Zika during pregnancy has an increased risk of having a baby with these health problems.
However, as we’ve seen during the current Zika outbreak, some infected women deliver babies that appear to be healthy.
The CDC said establishing the causal relationship between Zika and fetal brain defects is an important step in driving additional prevention efforts, focusing research activities, and reinforcing the need for direct communication about the risks of Zika.
However, the agency noted that many questions about the Zika virus remain. And answering these questions will be the focus of ongoing research.
The CDC also said it is not changing its current recommendations regarding the Zika virus. Pregnant women should continue to avoid travel to areas where Zika is actively spreading.
If a pregnant woman travels to or lives in an area with active Zika virus transmission, she should talk with her healthcare provider and take steps to prevent mosquito bites and sexual transmission of the virus.
The CDC also encourages women and their partners in areas with active Zika transmission to engage in pregnancy planning and counseling with their healthcare providers so they know the risks and the ways to mitigate them.