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| Zika virus: Risk higher than first thought, say doctors | Zika virus: Risk higher than first thought, say doctors |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The mosquito-borne Zika virus may be even more dangerous than previously thought, scientists in Brazil say. | The mosquito-borne Zika virus may be even more dangerous than previously thought, scientists in Brazil say. |
| Leading doctors have told the BBC that Zika could be behind more damaging neurological conditions, affecting one in five pregnant women who contract it. | Leading doctors have told the BBC that Zika could be behind more damaging neurological conditions, affecting one in five pregnant women who contract it. |
| Rates of increase in Zika infection in some parts of Brazil have slowed, thanks to better information about preventing the disease. | Rates of increase in Zika infection in some parts of Brazil have slowed, thanks to better information about preventing the disease. |
| But the search for a vaccine is still in the early stages. | But the search for a vaccine is still in the early stages. |
| And Zika continues to spread across the region. | And Zika continues to spread across the region. |
| 2.2 billion in 'at risk' Zika areas | |
| Zika outbreak: Travel advice | |
| Most doctors and medical researchers now agree that there is a link between the Zika virus and microcephaly, where babies are born with abnormally small heads because of restricted brain development. | Most doctors and medical researchers now agree that there is a link between the Zika virus and microcephaly, where babies are born with abnormally small heads because of restricted brain development. |
| While it is estimated that 1% of women who have had Zika during pregnancy will have a child with microcephaly, doctors in Brazil have told the BBC that as many as 20% of Zika-affected pregnancies will result in a range of other forms of brain damage to the baby in the womb. | While it is estimated that 1% of women who have had Zika during pregnancy will have a child with microcephaly, doctors in Brazil have told the BBC that as many as 20% of Zika-affected pregnancies will result in a range of other forms of brain damage to the baby in the womb. |
| A separate study, reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, said that "29% of scans showed abnormalities in babies in the womb, including growth restrictions, in women infected with Zika". | A separate study, reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, said that "29% of scans showed abnormalities in babies in the womb, including growth restrictions, in women infected with Zika". |
| Zika: What are the symptoms? | |
| Deaths are rare and only one in five people infected is thought to develop symptoms. | |
| These include: | |
| A rare nervous system disorder, Guillain-Barre syndrome, that can cause temporary paralysis has been linked to the infection. | |
| There is no vaccine or drug treatment so patients are advised to rest and drink plenty of fluids. | |
| But the biggest concern is the impact it could have on babies developing in the womb. | |
| Zika virus: Special report |