Zika-linked Microcephaly Found in Newborn Baby In Texas

The Zika virus continues to have more cases in the United States as Texas recorded its first baby born with Zika-linked microcephaly, a birth defect wherein the baby is born with a smaller head. The baby's mother had previously traveled from Latin America, particularly Colombia before giving birth in Harris County.

According to the Houston Press, the Harris County Public Health said that the mother only came to Harris County when she was already in her third trimester of pregnancy. She has been tested for the Zika virus after having flu-like symptoms and results showed she was positive for both Zika and dengue. Besides having microcephaly, her newborn baby also tested positive for Zika.

Zika In Texas

In the state of Texas, there are already 59 cases of Zika, Time reported. Three of these Zika cases are infections in pregnant women. The Zika-linked microcephaly birth in Texas was said to be at least the fourth case in the United States.

"Small pockets of cases in limited clusters are more likely," the Texas Department of State Health Services was quoted as saying in a statement. The department was referring to widespread transmission of the Zika virus in the state.

Zika In The United States

Citing information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA Today reported that there have already been seven babies born with Zika-linked birth defects in the United States as of the end of June. There have reportedly been six Zika-linked pregnancy losses such as miscarriages and abortions of fetuses with birth defects in the United States and its territories.

Data from the CDC also reveal that there have been 320 travel-related Zika diagnoses in pregnant women in the United States, according to the report. Additionally, it was said that between one to 13 percent of pregnant women with the Zika virus will have babies that have microcephaly.