Zika Circulating In Cape Verde Same As Viral Strain In Americas, WHO Announces, Warns Of Further Spread

Associated Press: WHO: Zika virus off coast of Africa came from Americas
“Health officials say they have confirmed that the Zika virus in Cape Verde island off the western coast of Africa is the same one infecting people in the Americas. The World Health Organization announced Friday that the development is worrisome because ‘it is further proof that the outbreak is spreading beyond South America and is on the doorstep of Africa’…” (5/20).

Reuters: Brazil-type Zika confirmed in Africa for first time — WHO
“…As of May 8, there had been 7,557 suspected cases in Cape Verde … Cape Verde has reported three cases of microcephaly, and a mother thought to have caught Zika there later delivered a microcephalic baby in the United States. Cape Verde has not reported any cases of Guillain-Barre, WHO said” (Miles, 5/20).

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