{"id":12992,"date":"2016-02-17T07:11:00","date_gmt":"2016-02-17T07:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.catholicnewsagency.com\/news\/congressman-zika-virus-should-inspire-care-not-fear-15622\/"},"modified":"2016-02-17T07:11:00","modified_gmt":"2016-02-17T07:11:00","slug":"congressman-zika-virus-should-inspire-care-not-fear","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/2016\/02\/congressman-zika-virus-should-inspire-care-not-fear\/","title":{"rendered":"Congressman: Zika virus should inspire care, not fear"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

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Washington D.C., Feb 17, 2016 \/ 12:11 am (CNA\/EWTN News<\/a>).- Fears of the Zika virus outbreak\u2019s possible effects on the health of women and unborn children should be a motivation to help those infected and prevent more infections, one congressman said last week.<\/p>\n

\u201cExperts cite possible links with the Zika infection of pregnant mothers and disorders affecting their unborn children, although they \u2013 including our witnesses today \u2013 are quick to point out that no definitive proof of such a linkage (exists),\u201d Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) said at a joint Congressional subcommittee hearing on the Zika virus Feb. 10.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the meantime, we must work harder to prevent maternal infections and devise compassionate ways to ensure that any child born with disabilities from this or any other infection is welcomed, loved and gets the care he or she needs,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n

The congressman called for further research on vaccinations and treatments for the Zika virus and on drugs that might prevent the disease\u2019s transmission from a mother to her unborn baby.<\/p>\n

\u201cCurrently no therapeutics exist to treat Zika virus nor is there a vaccine \u2013 but that gap need not be forever,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Zika virus is predominantly transmitted by mosquito bite, though in some cases it is also sexually transmitted and believed to be transmitted from pregnant mother to child.<\/p>\n

About 1 in 5 people infected with the Zika virus become ill. Most of those who become ill suffer mild symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control has said.<\/p>\n

More alarming, however, is the virus\u2019 suspected role in causing microcephaly among newborns if their mother catches the virus while pregnant. Microcephaly is a condition where a person has an abnormally small head. The condition is often accompanied by brain defects and other health problems.<\/p>\n

Outbreaks of Zika virus infection previously took place in Africa, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. In May 2015 health authorities confirmed the first virus infections among people in Brazil. Active virus transmission is confirmed as far north as Mexico, with some travel-associated cases in the U.S.<\/p>\n

The World Health Organization has recommended that people in areas of potentially infected mosquitos wear protective clothing and repellants and stay indoors. It has also advised avoiding travel to areas of a possible Zika outbreak, particularly for pregnant women.<\/p>\n

Some pro-abortion activists have tried to use the Zika virus\u2019 alleged link with microcephaly to encourage an expansion of legal abortion in Latin America.<\/p>\n

Rep. Smith cited Brazil\u2019s ambassador to the United States, Luiz Alberto Figueiredo Machado, who said that microcephaly in newborns can be caused by \u201ca number of other diseases.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHealth experts are dealing with something new: the link between Zika and microcephaly is unprecedented in the scientific literature and requires in-depth studies and analyses,\u201d the ambassador said.<\/p>\n

Rep. Smith also cited Boston Children\u2019s Hospital\u2019s fact sheet on microcephaly, which said some children who have the condition have normal intelligence and health.<\/p>\n

\nPhoto credit: nuwatphoto via www.shutterstock.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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