3 4
Infection during pregnancy problems, limb contractures, develop-
presents many serious hazards for
mother and child (microcephaly in
children)
• Zika virus can be transmitted from mother
to child during pregnancy, and can result
in congenital abnormalities:
-
Microcephaly is a condition where the
infant’s head is smaller than those of
other babies of the same age and sex
(more than three standard deviations
below average for gestational age).
Infants born with microcephaly are at risk
for severe intellectual disability and may
also develop convulsions and physical
disabilities as they grow older. There is no
specific treatment for microcephaly;
o
Diagnosis of microcephaly is often
made at birth. All infants should have
head circumference measured and
recorded within 24 hours of birth.
Early diagnosis of microcephaly can
sometimes be made by fetal ultrasound.
Prenatal diagnosis by ultrasound is
more accurate in the second and third
trimesters.
-
Other newborn complications associat-
ed with in-utero Zika infection include
brain calcifications, seizures, irritability,
brainstem dysfunction such as swallowing
MANAGING EPIDEMICS | KEY FACTS ABOUT MAJOR DEADLY DISEASES
Zika virus is a trigger of Guillain-
mental delay, hearing and sight abnormal-
ities, and other brain abnormalities;
- Support services for affected infants and
families are an important component of
Zika programmes.
• Other adverse pregnancy outcomes
associated with Zika virus infection
include preterm birth, miscarriage, and
still birth.
• Zika virus has been identified in breast
milk, but transmission by breastfeeding
has not yet been reported. Current
evidence suggests that the benefits of
breastfeeding outweigh the theoretical
risk of Zika virus infection transmission
through breast milk.
• More information is needed on the long
term outcomes of infants infected during
pregnancy, delivery, and in the early post-
partum period.
Barré syndrome
•G
 uillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare
condition in which a person’s immune sys-
tem attacks the peripheral nerves.
•P
 eople of all ages can be affected, but it
is more common in adults and in males.
•S
 ymptoms typically last a few weeks. If
supported through the critical stages of
disease, most individuals can recover
without long-term complications.
- The first symptoms of Guillain-Barré
syndrome include weakness or tingling,
usually starting in the legs and can spread
to the arms and face;
-
Some patients can develop paralysis of
the legs, arms, or muscles in the face. In
20%–30 % of people, the chest muscles
are affected, making it difficult to breathe;
-
The ability to speak and swallow may
become affected in severe cases of Guil-
lain-Barré syndrome;
- Severe cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome are
rare, but can result in near-total paralysis.
•G
 uillain-Barré syndrome is therefore po-
tentially life-threatening. People with Guil-
lain-Barré syndrome should be treated
and closely monitored; severe cases may
require intensive care including ventilato-
ry respiratory support. Treatment includes
supportive care and some immunological
therapies.
•E
 ven in the best of settings, 3%–5% of
Guillain-Barré syndrome patients die from
complications, which include paralysis
of the muscles that control breathing,
infection, sepsis, or cardiac arrest.
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