Newborns Die of Zika-related Microcephaly in Panama

Mexico City (PNA/Sputnik) — Panama reported four cases of babies born with Zika-related microcephaly in public hospitals in the capital on Thursday, two of them died, according to a health ministry official cited by La Prensa on Thursday.

The babies’ mothers, infected with Zika, all come from the Guna Yala province in northeast Panama, which is governed by the indigenous Guna people.

According to La Prensa, over 260 cases of Zika have been registered across Panama, including almost a dozen among pregnant women, several of whom come from the Guna Yala region.

The Zika virus is transmitted by daytime-active mosquitoes. It does not cause serious complications in adults but is suspected to cause severe brain defects and microcephaly in newborns.

The current Zika outbreak originated in Brazil in the spring of 2015. According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, over 60 countries and territories have been affected by the virus. (PNA/Sputnik) FFC/EDS