The Philippines Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday confirmed that there are now two cases of pregnant women with Zika virus all over the country. The first case was confirmed last September while the second case is a pregnant 16-year-old girl from Las Piñas City. The confirmation regarding the news was made by the Philippine DOH spokesperson Dr. Eric Tayag in his Twitter account, citing that “Dr. Pau (Health Secretary Dr. Paulyn Ubial) confirms second pregnant with Zika, 16-year-old from Las Piñas City.”
A 16-Year-Old Pregnant Woman Has Zika Virus
The pregnant 16-year-old girl is in her 32nd week or 8th month of pregnancy. According to Interaksyon, one of the leading news channel in the Philippines, Dr. Eric Tayag said the woman has manifested skin rashes and fever. Confirmatory tests showed she is positive with Zika virus infection. In the tweet, Tayag also said that she has not yet undergone an ultrasound examination.The confirmation was done in coordination with the City Health Office of Las Piñas, which provided the details on the suspected and confirmed cases.
Tayag said they are also closely monitoring the community to check if there are more cases in the area, as reported by CNN Philippines. He added DOH of the country is seeking the help of local government units in their "very serious campaign against these mosquitoes." Of the 33 cases, 12 were recorded in Iloilo; four in Bacoor, Cavite; three cases each in Mandaluyong and Calamba, Laguna; two cases each in Antipolo, Las Piñas and Muntinlupa; one each in Cebu, Quezon City, Makati, Caloocan, and Manila.
Pregnant Woman On Zika Virus
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), A pregnant woman can pass Zika virus to her fetus during pregnancy. Zika is a cause of microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects. We are studying the full range of other potential health problems that Zika virus infection during pregnancy may cause. There are no reports of infants getting Zika virus through breastfeeding. Because of the benefits of breastfeeding, mothers are encouraged to breastfeed even in areas where Zika virus is found.
