Harris County has First Zika Related Microcephaly

Houston, TX -- Harris County Public Health confirmed the first case of Zika virus related microcephaly on Wednesday, July 13. The infant tested positive for Zika at birth, the mother who had traveled to Latin America had provided inconclusive results.

Since the baby tested positive at birth, health officials believe the mother carried the virus while pregnant and was infected outside of the country.

In generally health adults the symptoms of Zika are often mild and include fever, rash, conjunctivitis and joint-pain. Rarely does the virus require hospitalization and even more rarely does it become fatal.

Unlike other mosquito borne illnesses, Zika can be also be treated sexually. The primary concern with Zika is the impact it has on developing fetuses.

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