CDC: Evidence definitively shows Zika causes birth defects

Luke Skywalker · Apr 14, 2016

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The CDC announced that the Zika virus may be 'scarier than we initially thought,' saying the mosquito-borne virus could be linked to more birth defects than previously believed.

In the Jan. 30, 2016 photo, Solange Ferreira bathes her son Jose Wesley in a bucket at their house in Bonito, Pernambuco state, Brazil, Saturday. Jose who suffers from microcephaly and cries incessantly, is only calm when he is put in the bucket of water, a trick his mother learned from a nurse at a hospital.(Photo: Felipe Dana, AP)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Wednesday that it now considers Zika to be the definitive cause of the birth defects seen in Brazil and other countries affected by the outbreak.
The declaration marks a "turning point" in the scientific understanding of the virus and its link to microcephaly, a condition in which babies are born with abnormally small heads and incomplete brain development, said CDC director Thomas Frieden.
"There is no longer any doubt that Zika causes microcephaly," Frieden said. "Never before in history has there*been a situation where a bite from a mosquito could result in a devastating malformation" in a fetus.
USA TODAY
Study: Zika may affect babies even in later stages of pregnancy

Scientists around the world have suspected for months the mosquito-borne virus causes*birth defects.*The World Health Organization announced Thursday that*"based*on a growing body of preliminary research, there is scientific consensus that Zika virus is a cause of microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome," a rare condition in which the body attacks its own nerve cells, causing paralysis.
Although scientists diagnosed the first case of Zika in a human in 1954, no one suspected it might cause birth defects until 2015, after the virus was detected in Brazil and reports of microcephaly began to climb.
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CDC officials said they waited to make the announcement until they could be certain of the science. The new CDC report, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, is based on studies published as recently as Sunday.
The agency has taken a cautious stance on Zika since January, when the CDC warned pregnant women not to visit countries or territories with Zika outbreaks. The CDC issued that alert after tests found the Zika virus in the brains of two full-term infants with microcephaly who died just after birth.
That travel advice hasn't changed, CDC officials said.
The type of microcephaly seen in babies affected by Zika is particularly severe, said Sonja Rasmussen, director of the CDC's division of public health information and dissemination.
The babies' small heads are likely to be the "tip of the iceberg," Rasmussen said, noting that*babies infected with Zika could face additional health problems that are less visible. Babies affected by Zika appear to have "fetal brain disruption sequence," which occurs when normal growth in a fetus*is interrupted by a destructive virus or parasite.
In addition to microcephaly and brain abnormalities, babies with Zika infections also have had eye problems that could cause blindness, extra scalp skin,*clubfoot and arthrogryposis, a condition in which newborns' joints are stuck in either a flexed or extended position, according to the CDC report.
Frieden said the*lifelong cost of caring for*a baby with microcephaly is estimated to be $10 million.
Scientists have a number of unanswered questions about Zika.*They don't know, for example, how often Zika virus causes microcephaly,*Rasmussen said.
Doctors also don't know if Zika poses a greater risk during some periods of pregnancy than in others, or if babies are at greater risk if their mothers exhibit symptoms of Zika than if they don't. About 80% of Zika infections cause no symptoms. The other 20% cause symptoms such as a fever, itchy rash, joint pain and pink eye.
Public health experts disagree about the effect the CDC announcement will have on the public.
"The CDC is the scientific gold standard," said Lawrence Gostin, director of the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University.*"It's a wake-up call to the United States."

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ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSU.S. swimmers address Zika, Michael Phelps, Rio Olympics | 01:44Members and hopefuls from the 2016 U.S. Olympic swimming team address concerns over the Zika virus, Michael Phelps' return and competing in the Olympics for the first time. USA TODAY Sports

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSOlympic media summit: Zika virus on athletes' minds | 01:56USA TODAY Sports' Rachel Axon recaps it all.

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSRio de Janeiro firefighters, drones join Zika battle | 01:07Firefighters in the state of Rio de Janeiro will use drones to identify potential Zika mosquito breeding areas
Video provided by AFP Newslook

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSZika: Pain and panic in Brazil | 04:28USA Today Sports travels across Brazil and finds out what action is being taken to combat Zika and its potential heartbreaking complications. USA TODAY Sports

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSWHO director: Zika is 'mysterious and tricky virus' | 01:11USA TODAY Sports' Martin Rogers reporting from Brazil, where the Director General of the World Health Organization is addressing the growing Zika virus crisis. USA TODAY Sports

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSFauci: US Transmission of Zika Expected | 02:08Disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci, said Friday that there have not yet been any cases of locally transmitted Zika virus in the continental United States, bud added he wouldn't be surprised if that changes. (Feb. 12) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSUS Olympic Teams Preparing for Zika Threat | 01:17The CEO of USA Track and Field says Olympic teams are looking into ways to minimize the threat of the Zika virus when athletes travel to Rio de Janeiro for this year's Olympic games. (Feb. 11) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSHopes for Zika Vaccine Trials By Late Summer | 01:04The director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) says that he hopes to have a Zika vaccine enter a "Phase 1 clinical trial" by late summer. (Feb. 11) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSPa. Student Has Recovered After Contracting Zika | 01:11Lehigh University said in a message to students, staff and faculty on Wednesday that a student had traveled abroad over winter break and later tested positive for Zika virus, but has since recovered "and is feeling well." (Feb. 11) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSUSOC addresses Zika virus concerns | 00:47The USOC will add disease specialists to address added concerns about the spread of the Zika virus in Rio. USA TODAY Sports

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSCDC: Expect 'significant number' of Zika cases | 01:41CDC Director Thomas Frieden told a congressional committee Wednesday that the U.S. should expect to see "significant numbers" of infections of the Zika virus in territories including Puerto Rico. (Feb. 10) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSZika virus could keep Hope Solo out of Olympics | 00:56Due to the spreading Zika virus, U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo told SI.com, If I had to make the choice today, I wouldn't go [to the Olympics]." Time_Sports

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSOfficials confirm first case of Zika virus in Indiana | 02:40Zika virus, which has been linked to thousands of birth defects in Latin America, has spread rapidly and made its way to North America. Indiana has its first confirmed case of the Zika virus, state health officials said Feb 9, 2016. (Produced by Joe Wochit

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSThe White House is asking For $1.8B to counter The Zika virus | 00:56The money would go to mosquito control programs, research for a vaccine, health services for low-income pregnant women and more. Newslook

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSBrevard Officials Give Tips on Helping Fight Against Zika Virus | 00:47Bruh-VARD County officials are enlisting help from the public to fight the spread of the ZEE-ka virus. Virginia Barker, the county's Natural Resources Management Department director, says best defense is to reduce standing water outdoors. The wate Wochit

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSFL Residents Take Steps to Prep Against Zika | 01:41Preparing for a fight against the mosquito-born virus Zika, concerned residents in Florida hire exterminators and get educated. (Feb. 5) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSExperts Call For More Resources to Combat Zika | 01:57President Barack Obama is asking Congress for more than $1.8 billion in emergency funding to fight the Zika virus and the mosquitoes that spread it here and abroad. (Feb. 8) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWS6 Things To Know About Zika Virus | 02:39CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden answers questions about the Zika virus and new guidelines issued by the health agency on Friday. (Feb. 5) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSSexually transmitted Zika virus reported in Texas | 02:38The Dallas County health department has confirmed two people in the Texas county have tested positive for the Zika virus. One patient had sexual contact with another infected individual; the other patient contracted the virus while in Venezuela. WFAA-TV

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSZika Spread Through Blood Transfusion in Brazil | 01:132 people in Brazil contracted the Zika virus through blood transfusions, a municipal health official says, presenting a fresh challenge to efforts to contain the virus on top of the disclosure of a case of sexual transmission in the US. (Feb. 4) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSGuarding your home from the Zika virus | 01:10A USA TODAY motion graphic showing how to prevent your home from becoming a breeding ground for the Aedes mosquito, known to spread the Zika virus.
Source: National Environmental Health Association Ramon Padilla Berna Elibuyuk and Liz Szabo, USA TODAY

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSExpert: Majority of Blood Supply Safe from Zika | 01:27With Brazilian officials confirming two people contracted Zika virus through blood transfusions, there is concern more cases could appear. Experts say there are ways to pre-screen blood donors to "cut down significantly on the risk." (Feb. 4) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSDoctor: Many More Will Be Infected With Zika | 01:20A sexually transmitted case of Zika in Texas has scientists scrambling to understand how much of a risk infection through sex is for the usually mosquito-spread illness. (Feb. 4) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSWisc Mother Shares Experience with Microcephaly | 02:22The Zika virus is drawing worldwide attention to a devastating birth defect that until now has gotten little public notice. A Wisconsin mother is all too familiar with the condition_ her infant son has microcephaly. (Feb. 4) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSOlympic committee dealing with Zika virus | 00:56Update on the Zika virus and how it may impact the Summer Olympics in Rio. USA TODAY Sports

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSCDC Emergency Op. Center Tracks Zika Virus | 01:11The Associated Press gets a look inside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is monitoring the spread of the Zika virus from their Emergency Operations Center. (Feb. 3) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSHealth ministers convene in Uruguay over Zika | 00:43Health ministers representing 15 countries from Latin America and the Caribbean gathered in the Uruguayan capital, Montevideo on Wednesday to discuss a common policy to combat the regional expansion of the Zika virus. (Feb. 3) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWS5 things to know about Zika virus | 01:00Zika virus, which has been linked to thousands of birth defects in Latin America, has spread rapidly and made its way to North America. Here are five things you need to know about the virus. VPC

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSGenetically modified mosquitoes released to take on Zika Virus | 02:07Feb. 3 -- A small British biotech firm is taking a leading role in the fight against the Zika virus - by releasing genetically modified mosquitoes into affected areas. Bloomberg's Tom Mackenzie visited their breeding lab near Oxford to find out more Bloomberg

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSDallas County Patient Gets Zika Virus From Sex | 01:19Health officials say a patient in Dallas County, Texas, has acquired the Zika virus through sex. Officials confirm the patient was infected after having sexual contact with an ill person who returned from a country where Zika was present. (Feb. 3) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSWHO Expert says Zika Vaccine Likely "Years Away" | 01:22A senior World Health Oranization (WHO) doctor on Tuesday told journalists that a vaccine for the Zika virus "may be years not months away." Dr. Antony Costello said it depends on the biology of the virus. (Feb. 2) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSBrevard Prepared to Fend Off Zika Virus | 00:30The World Health Organization announced on Monday that the explosive spread of the Zika virus in the Americas is an "extraordinary event" that merits being declared an international emergency. (Feb. 1) AP The same type of mosquito spreading the Zik Wochit

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSSexually transmitted Zika virus reported in Texas | 02:38The Dallas County health department has confirmed two people in the Texas county have tested positive for the Zika virus. One patient had sexual contact with another infected individual; the other patient contracted the virus while in Venezuela.

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSWHO declares Zika outbreak a global emergency | 01:55The World Health Organization announced on Monday that the explosive spread of the Zika virus in the Americas is an "extraordinary event" that merits being declared an international emergency. (Feb. 1) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSZika virus: 5 things you need to know | 01:00Zika, a virus transmitted through mosquito bites, is affecting multiple countries in Latin America, and is expected to spread to the U.S. VPC

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSZika virus prompts Brazilian petition For more legal abortion access | 01:09The Zika virus outbreak in Brazil prompted a petition for more access to legal abortion.
Video provided by Newsy Newslook

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSWHO Holds Crisis Meeting on Zika Virus | 01:28The World Health Organization (WHO) has begun a crisis meeting considering whether the explosive spread of the mosquito-borne Zika virus, which is linked to birth defects in the Americas, should be declared a global health emergency. (Feb. 1) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSExpert Says Zika Outbreak Not Likely in the U.S. | 01:45Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said the chances of a Zika outbreak in the United States is not likely. Fauci spoke at a luncheon event in Washington, DC on Friday. (Jan. 29) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSHeat, Poverty, Fuel Brazil Zika Outbreak | 01:29In Recife, Brazil, the epicenter of the country's Zika outbreak, authorities struggle to control the mosquitoes that spread the virus, while families struggle with birth defects that may be linked to the disease. (Jan. 29) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSMosquitoes are spreading a rare virus | 00:44In the past year, Zika has spread from Africa and Asia through the Americas. In Brazil, the number of infants born with shrunken, malformed brains has gone up by a factor of 10 since Zika entered the country. USA TODAY

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSCDC: Pregnant Women at Greatest Risk for Zika | 03:34Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are warning pregnant women to postpone travel plans to areas where Zika virus has been reported in the hopes of reducing risks of birth defects and spread of virus. (Jan. 28) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSConcerns Zika Virus Could Spread Through Americas | 02:33The Zika virus, which is spread by mosquitoes, has been found in nearly two dozen Latin American countries. The virus is suspected of causing birth defects. Health officials are concerned it could spread to the US and Canada. (Jan. 28) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSRio Olympics monitoring spread of Zika virus | 00:35With the Rio Olympics seven months away, daily inspections of stagnant water in Brazil are ongoing where mosquitoes spread the Zika virus.

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSWHO To Hold Emergency Session on Zika Virus | 02:14The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Thursday said it was convening an emergency committee on Monday to decide if the Zika virus outbreak should be declared an international health emergency. (Jan. 28) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSCDC Discusses Rise in Emerging Zika Virus | 02:09The CDC says there is growing concern about the emerging, mosquito-borne Zika virus after a surge in cases of a rare brain defect among babies in Brazil. Although cases of the Zika virus are still rare in the U.S., they're on the rise. (Jan. 20) AP

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Others note that the public isn't paying close attention to Zika.
Four in 10 Americans have heard only a little or nothing at all about the*virus, according to a survey released last week from the*Associated Press and the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research at the University of Chicago.
Infectious disease researcher*Michael Osterholm predicts Americans won't really care about Zika until the disease begins spreading here. Osterholm, the director of the University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, noted Americans showed little interest in Ebola until a patient was diagnosed in Dallas.
Now that the scientific debate over the Zika virus is over,*"we can get on with the debate about how to stop it,"*Osterholm said.
Gostin said both individuals and political leaders*need to take Zika seriously.
"We think we’re immune from this kind of*thing because we have a highly developed health care system," Gostin said. "But this is not a case where a doctor can fix your baby."

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CDC: Evidence definitively shows Zika causes birth defects

Luke Skywalker

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