Zika Infection Late In Pregnancy May Be Not So Risky, Say Scientists

by Benson Agoha | Science News

* Pregnant mother. (Photo Credit: via Science News)

As a new report say there was no apparent birth defects reported in a study of Colombian women infected in third trimester, one may be tempted to ask if the Zika virus is less risky than Malaria.

According to a new report by Science News on Thursday, a group of women thought to be infected with Zika virus in Colombia during the third trimester of pregnancy have given birth to babies without microcephaly, or other obvious birth defects.

"Early results from Zika cases tracked in Colombia suggest that the viral infection late in pregnancy is not linked to microcephaly, a birth defect that leaves infants with abnormally small heads and brains", Meghan Rosen reported.

The study conducted by a group of researchers reported online June 15 in the New England Journal of Medicine involved a group of 1,850 pregnant women infected with the virus during the third trimester from which 90% are said to have given birth to babies without “apparent abnormalities.”

Though the finding offers a glimmer of hope for the Zika zone, it raises questions whether the virus is less risky than Malaria or whether immunity can now be developed.

Zika, like Malaria is a mosquito-borne virus common mostly in the North and South America's and according to reports, it has spread to 46 countries and left more than 1,500 babies with severe birth defects, including microcephaly and other malformations.

But even though the babies have no birth defects associated with the Zika virus, they may still not be free from all problems, the report says.

Ernesto Marques, researcher from the University of Pittsburgh Public Health says the result does not surprise him and says “The fact that these babies do not have an anatomical problem, does not mean that they do not have any problem. We need to follow the development of these kids.”

Read the full Science News report now. [ Science News Zirka Virus Report ].