Thailand confirms Zika virus cause of babies born with small heads, microcephaly

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Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn, Minister of Public Health.Thailand confirmed on Friday that the Zika virus had caused two cases of microcephaly, a condition where babies are born with small heads, as the agency continues its investigation in more related cases.

Thailand confirmed on Friday that the Zika virus had caused two cases of microcephaly, a condition where babies are born with small heads.

It is the first time microcephaly has been linked to the Zika virus in Southeast Asia.

Prasert Thongcharoen, an adviser to the Department of Disease Control told reporters in Bangkok of the prevalence of Zika virus infections in the country.

“We have found three infants who are born with microcephaly and two cases are caused by Zika,” Thongcharoen told reporters in Bangkok, according to Thai media Khaosod.

“As for the third infant, we have not detected the virus until now,” Prasert said.

Thailand has one of the highest number of cases of Zika infections in the Southeast Asia with 349 cases recorded since January 2016.

The World Health Organization said this was the first Zika-linked microcephaly in Southeast Asia. (with report from Xinhua)

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