The number of microcephaly cases in Brazil has skyrocketed in the past few days as the Brazilian Health Ministry (computer translated) put the tally as of Nov. 28 at 1,248 suspected cases.
Cases of the congenital malformation have been reported in 311 municipalities in 14 Brazilian states. Pernambuco, the first state to report cases, continues to report the most (646) followed by Paraíba (248), Rio Grande do Norte (79) and Sergipe (77). –See complete list below.
Brazil has reported an average of 156 microcephaly cases annually since 2010.
Among the 1,248 cases, seven deaths were reported. A newborn Ceara diagnosed with microcephaly and other congenital malformations through ultrasound, tested positive for Zika virus. Five others in Rio Grande do Norte and Piauí are under investigation to determine cause of death.
The Brazil Ministry of Health cays microcephaly is when the brain does not develop properly, when the head circumference is lower than normal. It can be due to a number of factors to include chemicals, radiation and biological agents.
Health officials are advising pregnant women not to take drugs not prescribed by their doctor. In addition, the say this population need to take care with the prevention of mosquito bites.
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