Panama Reports Zika Related Microcephaly Death

On Thursday March 17 Panama registered the first baby to be born with the brain disorder microcephaly, believed to be linked to the Zika virus. According to reports this is thought to be the first case related to Zika outside of Brazil.

While the baby died just four hours after brith, they were born with an underdeveloped brain, and with traces of the mosquito-born virus found in the umbilical cord.  The Panamanian mother had not reported any symptoms of Zika during her pregnancy.  According to experts only 1 in 4 carriers of the Zika virus have symptoms related to the virus, including join pain, headaches and rashes. Only those showing all four signs of the virus are eligible for testing, which is offered at a single clinic in Panama City.