microcephaly

Barcelona’s Vall d’Hebron Hospital has seen the first birth in Europe of a baby with Zika-linked microcephaly. The new-born was born this Monday with a “low” cranial perimeter and has been hospitalised in a “correct and stable” condition. In May the health authorities reported to the family that the mother was infected and that the pregnancy was risky, but the parents decided to go ahead with the birth. 91 people infected with the Zika virus have been detected in Catalonia since the 1^st of January, 24 man and 67 woman, 21 of which were pregnant at the time of diagnosis. 5 of them have already given birth, to healthy babes. All of the infected reported having been in South or Central America, in those areas where Zika is most active, and confirmed that they were bitten by mosquitoes during their stay. 

The Catalan Ministry for Health has confirmed this Tuesday that there are four new cases of people infected with Zika virus in Catalonia, one of which is a pregnant woman. Thus, the number of infected with Zika virus in Catalonia totals 45, 29 women and 16 men. The disease is especially grave for pregnant women as it may cause malformations in the baby’s brain, which may lead to it being underdeveloped. Indeed, in the beginning of May the health authorities in Catalonia confirmed the first case of Zika-linked microcephaly, as the foetus of an infected woman suffered from several malformations. All those affected by the virus reported having been in South or Central America, in those areas where Zika is most active, and confirmed that they were bitten by mosquitoes during their stay.

The Ministry of Health of Catalonia has reported the case of a woman infected by the mosquito-borne virus, which her baby has now contracted, according to 8TV. This is the first case of microcephaly confirmed in Catalonia and Spain, and the second in Europe. The woman is not currently in hospital. According to official figures, there are 39 Zika cases in Catalonia: 15 men and 24 women. From those women, 4 are pregnant and are taking part in strict medical controls to follow the development of their embryos. The case of microcephaly has been reported in one of these women who, besides Zika, was also infected by another mosquito-borne virus, dengue.