Even After Birth The Zika Virus Can Keep Growing In Infant's Brains [Report]

By Mohender - 14 Dec '16 09:36AM
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According to a research in the United States, an evidence was found stating that there is a possibility of Zika virus replicating in fatal brains. This happens till seven months after the mother gets infected with the virus.

This Virus Can Replicate In The Child's Brain Even After Birth

The Zika virus is capable of persisting in the placentas for months. Fox News reports that the virus may cause devastating birth defects as well as pregnancy loses even in the case of the minor illness of the pregnant women.

World Health Organization says that the Zika virus should no longer be considered as an international emergency but there is need of long-term effort to address the issue. This virus has been related to many birth defects and neurological complications.

Research By CDC

Tissues of 52 patients suffering from Zika virus were tested along with brain tissues of eight infants. These infants were suffering from microcephaly and they died later.

Placenta tissues of 44 pregnant women were also tested, 22 of them had delivered healthy babies and the other ladies pregnancy ended in miscarriage, South China Morning Post reports.

It was concluded that Zika causes microcephaly in which infants are born with undersized heads and brains. This may lead to lifelong disability. All the eight infants tested positive for Zika virus and they died.

Persistence Of This Virus

Researchers are unaware of the longevity of this virus but babies taking birth with a disease called microcephaly have the chances of Zika virus. Even healthy babies can inherit the Zika virus from their mothers at the time of pregnancy.

Zika is a mosquito born disease which makes its home in infant brains and women placentas. In the past it was causing mild disease. There is no treatment and vaccine for this virus. The study on this disease was published on Tuesday.

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