Australia’s First Case Of A Pregnant Woman With Zika Virus Found In QLD

Less than a fortnight after the WHO warned the Zika virus’ spread is a global health emergency, a pregnant woman has been diagnosed with the virus in Queensland. 

The fact she’s pregnant is the most pressing element here: while the virus itself causes Dengue-like symptoms in its host, health experts are more worried about the possible link between Zika virus and microcephaly, a condition that results in smaller-than-usual heads in infants. With that condition comes the possibility of brain damage in the unborn child.

The Guardian reports the woman had been travelling late last year in a country that’s been suffering with an outbreak of the mosquito-spread virus. It’s also the third reported case of the virus popping up in Queensland this year, but all of those diagnosed with Zika are known to have contracted it overseas. 

Australia, most notably north Queensland, has its own problem with mosquitoes capable of carrying the virus. Experts will begin what’s been described as “advanced testing” for the virus in Townsville next month. 

For the record, the Smart Traveller site has recently dropped a list of nations it says those who are pregnant, or are actively trying to get pregnant, best avoid. It includes basically every tropical Caribbean / Central American paradise you can think of, but also the closer locales of Tonga and Samoa. 

Stay well, everybody. 

Source: The Guardian. 
Photo: Mario Tama / Getty. 

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