Approximately 5 percent of pregnant women infected with the Zika virus in U.S. territories have had a baby or fetus with Zika-related birth defects, according to the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report released Thursday.
For the report, CDC researchers reviewed 2,549 cases involving pregnant women with possible Zika virus who gave birth between Jan.1, 2016 and April 25, 2017. Women included in the analysis lived in the following U.S. territories: American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Marshall Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Researchers found 5 percent — or 122 women — had a baby or fetus with possible Zika-associated birth defects. Among women infected with the virus during the first trimester, 8 percent had a baby or fetus with Zika-related birth defects.
The findings are comparable to research released by the CDC in April, which indicated approximately 1 in 10 pregnant women with confirmed Zika infections in the U.S. had a baby or fetus with birth defects in 2016.
"As these latest findings illustrate, Zika virus poses a serious threat to pregnant women and their babies, regardless of when the infection occurs during the pregnancy," said Anne Schuchat, MD, acting director of the CDC. "Women in the U.S. territories and elsewhere who have continued exposure to mosquitoes carrying Zika are at risk of infection. We must remain vigilant and committed to preventing new Zika infections."
On Monday, Puerto Rico Health officials declared the island's Zika outbreak over. However, the CDC maintains its travel guidance for Puerto Rico, advising pregnant women not to travel to the U.S. territory.
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