# 11,362
The Brazilian MOH Microcephaly report is out, and this week we see the number of new suspected cases under investigation has increased by 95, while the number of confirmed microcephaly cases has increased by 55 over the previous week.
Both numbers are well below the numbers we were seeing added only a couple of months ago.
Upon further investigation, another 187 have been discarded as not meeting the criteria for microcephaly, leaving the total remaining under investigation at 3,433.
While microcephaly is the most apparent congenital defect at birth, we've been warned by CDC, NIH, and WHO that maternal Zika infection may produce other, less obvious neurological deficits in developing fetuses, and they may not become apparent until the child is much older.
This (translated) report from the Brazilian MOH.
Registration Date: 11/05/2016 11:05:41 the amended 05/11/2016 11:05:41 theREPORT CARD
Since the beginning of the investigation, in October 2015, 7,438 suspected cases were reported, of which 2,679 were discarded and 3,433 remain in research
The Ministry of Health and the states have confirmed 1,326 cases of microcephaly and other nervous system disorders, suggestive of congenital infection throughout the country. Data is until the 7th of May and part of the report Epidemiologic released on Wednesday (11). The report gathers information sent weekly by state health departments.
A total of 7,438 suspected cases reported since the beginning of the investigation, in October 2015, and 3,433 remain under investigation. Other 2,679 were discarded because of normal tests, or because they have microcephaly and malformations or confirmed because no infectious or do not meet the case definition.
In Brazil, the 1,326 confirmed cases occurred in 484 municipalities located in 25 states of the federation. There is no confirmation record only in the states of Acre and Santa Catarina. Of these cases, 205 were confirmed by specific laboratory criteria for Zika virus. The Ministry of Health, however, points out that this figure does not represent adequately the total number of cases related to the virus. The folder considers that there was infection Zika most of the mothers who had babies with a final diagnosis of microcephaly.
In the same period, there were 262 suspected deaths of microcephaly and / or alteration of the central nervous system after birth or during pregnancy (miscarriage or stillbirth) in the country. Of these, 56 were confirmed to microcephaly and / or alteration of the central nervous system. Another 174 are still under investigation and 32 were discarded.
The Ministry of Health says it is investigating all cases of microcephaly and other disorders of the central nervous system, informed by the states, and the possible relationship with the Zika virus and other congenital infections. Microcephaly may be caused by, various infectious agents beyond Zika as Syphilis, Toxoplasmosis, Other Infectious Agents, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus and Herpes Viral.
The folder guides pregnant women adopt measures to reduce the presence of Aedes aegypti, with the elimination of breeding sites, and protect themselves from mosquito exposure, keeping doors and closed or screened windows, wear pants and long sleeved shirts and use allowed repellents for pregnant women.
