On May 31, 2016, a baby suffering from severe microcephaly was born in New Jersey to a mother infected with Zika. Previous tests done on the mother revealed that the baby girl also had abnormalities including brain calcification, bowel problems, and restricted growth. To save the infant’s life, doctors at Hackensack University Medical Center determined that delivery by caesarean section was necessary.

According to Dr. Abdulla Al-Kahn, director of maternal-fetal medicine and surgery, the 31-year-old mother was diagnosed with Zika in Honduras, where the Virus is rampant. She traveled to New Jersey to seek further treatment.

This incident marks the second reported case in the U.S. wherein Birth Defects were brought about by the virus, with the first case occurring in Hawaii to a mother who had contracted the virus while living in Brazil.

Zika is a mild disease marked by fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis. It is primarily transmitted through the bite of an Aedes species mosquito infected with the Zika Virus but can also be contracted through unprotected sexual contact. The illness usually only lasts several days to a week after being bitten. However, the virus poses a serious risk to Pregnant Women as infection during pregnancy can cause Birth Defects such as microcephaly and other brain defects.

Microcephaly is a rare condition linked to the Zika virus, which causes babies to be born with unusually small heads. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are a total of 591 cases of Zika infections nationwide, with 16 of them being in New Jersey. All cases have been linked to overseas travel. Eleven of these cases were reported to have been transmitted sexually.

According to a national pregnancy registry, as of May 19, over 300 pregnant women have been infected with Zika across the United States and its territories. The increasing number of Zika-related birth defects calls for healthcare providers to put extra attention to Fetal Monitoring efforts to help ensure safe deliveries. AIV Inc. provides fetal monitoring solutions from the most well-known brands on the market. Learn more about our line of fetal monitoring transducers, accessories, replacement parts and repair services by visiting http://aiv-inc.com/fetal-monitor-transducers.html today!