Birth Defects From Zika In Latin America, Caribbean Countries Past 1,500 Mark

Dr. Angela Rocha (C), pediatric infectologist at Oswaldo Cruz Hospital, examines Ludmilla Hadassa Dias de Vasconcelos (2 months), who has microcephaly, in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

By NAN Staff Writer

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri.. June 10, 2016: The reported total number of cases of birth defects related to the Zika virus in affected Latin America and the Caribbean is now at 1,504, latest World Health Organization (WHO) data shows.

Brazil leads the countries, territories and areas reporting the defects or microcephaly and/or CNS malformation cases associated with the Zika virus infection according to the WHO. The total number of babies born with birth defects there now is put at 1,489.

Colombia, though far behind, had the second highest number of defects from the virus with 7.

Panama reported 4 according to WHO and Martinique, 3.

Puerto Rico rounded out the 1,504 for the region with one reported case.

However, two reported cases in Costa Rica and Venezuela are currently being verified.

As of June 1, 2016, 60 nations globally reported continuing mosquito borne virus transmission and 46 countries are experiencing a first outbreak of the Zika virus since 2015, with no previous evidence of circulation, and with ongoing transmission by mosquitoes. Ten countries have reported evidence of person-to-person transmission of Zika virus, probably via a sexual route.

Overall, Brazil still continues to lead the Americas with the most suspected and confirmed locally transmitted Zika virus disease cases. The top Zika affected nations in the Americas according to PAHO data as of May 2016 are:

1: Brazil with 194,263 cases.

2: Colombia with 87,355 cases

3: Venezuela with 31,576 cases.

4: Martinique with 26,662 cases.

5: Honduras with 21,069.

6: Puerto Rico with 11,705

7: El Salvador with 11,677 cases.