Countries reporting Zika microcephaly in the Americas

Since the beginning of the outbreak of Zika virus in the Americas, the following countries have reported Zika affected infants (microcephaly and other congenital malformations): Canada, USA, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Dominican Republic, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Saint Martin, Grenada, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Bolivia, Colombia, Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina. In Canada and the USA, affected infants occurred in women who travelled in areas where Zika virus outbreaks were occurring. The number of affected infants varies considerably from country to country depending on how extensive the spread of Zika virus has been. The absence of reported cases of affected infants does not mean that there is no risk, since Zika virus continues to circulate in many countries.

Advice

There is strong scientific evidence that this virus is the cause of microcephaly (small brain) and other neurological abnormalities in newborn infants. The World Health Organization advises that pregnant women should not travel to areas with Zika virus outbreaks. Pregnant women whose sexual partners live in or travel to areas with Zika virus outbreaks should ensure safe sexual practices or abstain from sex for the duration of their pregnancy,