- Published: 21:34, 25 Jul 2016
- Updated: 4:42, 26 Jul 2016
THE first case of a baby born with the microcephaly birth defect linked to the Zika virus has been born in Europe.
The 41-year-old woman was diagnosed with the virus in May but decided to keep the baby and it was born today in Barcelona, according to health officials.
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Medics said the baby was born with a microcephaly – an abnormally small head.
It is believed the mother contracted the virus during a trip to Colombia while she was 13 weeks pregnanat. She also tested positive for Dengue fever.
The baby was born by caesarean section after 40 weeks of pregnancy.
This Zika birth comes just weeks before the Olympic Games begin in Brazil, where the virus originated.
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Though several people throughout Europe are known to have contracted the virus, there have been very few cases of babies developing microcephaly symptoms.
As the infection causes severe birth defects when contracted by pregnant women, expectant mothers have been warned not to travel to affected areas.
In May, the Spanish government said it had identified 105 people infected with Zika, 13 of them pregnant women.
Scientists have estimated that up to 1.65 million women of child-bearing age in Latin America could still be at risk from Zika.
Brazil, where the virus began, has more than three times the number of infections of any other country.
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In February World Health Organisation declared the epidemic an international public health emergency.
Experts predict the current wave of the virus may only last another two to three years before ‘burning out’ due to herd immunity.
This is when such a high proportion of the population develops immunity to the disease so it runs out of available hosts.
Since the Zika epidemic began in 2015, nearly 5,000 cases of microcephaly have been recorded in affected regions.
The virus can be spread through mosquito bites, from a mother to a foetus, through sexual contact, through blood transfusion or laboratory exposure.
Zika and pregnancy – Foreign Office
Zika virus infection may present an increased risk for certain groups of the population, particularly pregnant women.
Specific travel advice for women planning pregnancy or who are currently pregnant is available.
Women are advised to avoid becoming pregnant while travelling in an area with active Zika virus transmission, and for 8 weeks after their return.
Pregnant women who have recently travelled in an area reporting active Zika virus transmission in the last 9 months should seek advice from their GP or midwife on their return to the UK, even if they have not been unwell.
Diagnostic testing is only indicated for a patient who has recently travelled to or arrived from an area with active Zika virus transmission.
Symptoms suggestive of acute Zika virus infection include:
rash
itching/pruritus
fever
headache
arthralgia or arthritis
myalgia
conjunctivitis
lower back pain
retro-orbital pain
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