The unwelcome arrival of the Zika virus into south Florida is reportedly migrating north with the discovery of yet another case – this time, the patient resides in Palm Beach County. A total of 17 cases to date, 14 of which were discovered in Miami, bring the total to over 1,000 total cases to date in the U.S., the bulk of which were acquired abroad.
Pregnant Women
Last week, the CDC called for pregnant women to be on high alert in Miami’s Wynwood, Edgewater and Midtown neighborhoods. Just a few short months ago the CDC had estimated an increase in the likelihood that the approaching summer months would bring forth more cases of the virus, especially in the southern states due to environmental conditions.
On the heels of the latest Zika worries in south Florida, came news this morning out of Harris County, Texas, of the first death of an infant suffering from microcephaly, a serious birth defect linked to the Zika virus. According to USA Today, the mother was unaware upon returning home from a trip to El Salvador that she was infected.
So far, the Zika Pregnancy Registry initiated by the CDC reports that in the U.S. fifteen babies have been born with virus-related defects, and seven mothers have miscarried due to the infection. The debate is on over what steps are available to an expectant mother if and when she discovers she may be carrying an at-risk baby.
Already a widely discussed and controversial topic, advocates in favor of a Pro-life approach, as well as supporters of a Pro-choice option to continue to be available to expectant mothers, are weighing in with their opinions.
Senator Marco Rubio reportedly shared his thoughts with Politico over this past weekend. “I believe that all human life is worthy of protection of our laws. And when you present it in the context of Zika or any prenatal condition, it’s a difficult question and a hard one.
But if I’m going to err, I’m going to err on the side of life.” In stark contrast to Rubio’ comments, earlier this year, The World Health Organization offered a differing philosophy. “Women who wish to terminate a pregnancy due to the fear of microcephaly should have access to safe abortion services to the full extent of the law.
Sometimes a look back in time at outcomes from similar health epidemics may offer a glimpse of what could result from the emergence of the Zika virus in the U.S. Jessica Ravitz of CNN reported this morning that when Rubella and/or German measles reached the U.S. in 1963, record numbers of people, including pregnant women, became infected.
Subsequently, even though abortion was illegal in the U.S. at that time, the demand for the right to terminate infected, unborn fetuses was pushed to the forefront, enabling well over 11,000 women to receive therapeutic abortions. In the coming days and weeks, the realities facing the U.S. will surely heighten the discussion.
Sources:
www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/08/09/baby-zika-linked-birth-defect-dies-texas
www.hhnmag.com/articles/7529-local-transmission
Photo Credit: Rich Koele / Shutterstock.com
