Zika Virus Found in Fetus With Severe Birth Defect

Doctors have found the Zika virus in the brain of a fetus with severe microcephaly, which may help experts understand the relationship between the virus and how it affects developing babies, NBC News reported.

A 25-year-old woman was volunteering in Natal, Brazil, and became pregnant. During her 13th week, she came down with a high fever, muscle aches and a rash.

Her first ultrasound looked normal. But after returning home to Europe, another ultrasound in her seventh month showed evidence of microcephaly. The woman terminated the pregnancy.

Researchers conducted an autopsy and found Zika in the brain. The fetus was small and had an abnormally small head, with an underdeveloped brain with scarring throughout.

The report’s publication has been rushed by the New England Journal of Medicine.  

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