Link between Zika and birth defects established

Health officials in the United States say there is now enough evidence to conclude contracting the Zika (ZEE-kuh) virus while pregnant can cause severe birth defects, including microcephaly. (micro-SEF-uh-lee)

A mother and her daughter, with microcephaly, in Brazil Source: AAP

Zika is at its worst in Brazil, where hundreds of babies have microcephaly, a syndrome where children are born with unusually small heads.

 

The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have concluded there is a causal link, but also warns there are many unanswered questions.