El Salvador confirms Zika-linked microcephaly case

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador – Health officials in El Salvador have confirmed the first case of a severe birth defect associated with the Zika virus.

Public Health Minister Violeta Menjivar said Tuesday that the baby boy with microcephaly was born recently to a 20-year-old mother.

El Salvador confirmed the presence of the Zika virus in December 2015. The government had identified 278 pregnant women suspected of having the virus. Of those, 118 have already given birth to babies without microcephaly.

Babies with microcephaly have abnormally small heads and underdeveloped brains.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.
The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.