#11,548
Brazil has released their weekly Microcephaly report card and it shows the
number of suspected cases under investigation has increased by 150 in the last reporting period, while the total number of confirmed microcephaly cases has risen by 31.
Upon further investigation, another 107 have been discarded as not meeting the criteria for microcephaly, leaving the number still under investigation at 3142.
While far lower than what we were seeing during its peak six months ago, this week's microcephaly totals have edged just a little higher than we seen the past couple of weeks.
This week's Report Card stresses the progress Brazil has made in investigating the backlog of cases, a monumental task no doubt helped by the sharp drop in the number of new cases that began three months ago.
Given the seasonal variations in mosquito populations, and the nine month human gestation period, we'll have to wait until the end of the year to see if last year's pattern repeats itself.
Registration Date: 13/07/2016 16:07:22 the amended 13/07/2016 17:07:16 the
REPORT CARD
More than 60% of suspected cases of microcephaly are completed research
Of the total of 8,451 cases reported to the Ministry of Health, since October last year, 5,309 were confirmed or discarded. Other 3,142 cases remain under investigation
New bulletin of the Ministry of Health, released on Wednesday (13), points out that, until 9 July, has already completed the investigation of 63% (5,309) of the 8,451 suspected cases of microcephaly notified to the folder from the beginning of the investigation, in October last year. Of the total surveyed, 1,687 cases were confirmed microcephaly and other nervous system disorders, suggestive of congenital infection. Other 3,622 were discarded because of normal tests, or because they have microcephaly or malformations confirmed because noninfectious. They were also discarded by do not meet the case definition.
They remain under investigation by the Ministry of Health and the states, 3,142 suspected cases of microcephaly across the country.
Of the total confirmed cases (1,687), 266 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. The 1.687casos confirmed in Brazil occurred in 592 municipalities located in all Brazilian states and the Federal District.
In relation to deaths in the same period, there were 351 suspected deaths of microcephaly and / or alteration of the central nervous system after birth or during pregnancy (miscarriage or stillbirth) in the country. This represents 4.2% of the total reported cases. Of these, 102 were confirmed to microcephaly and / or alteration of the central nervous system. Other 190 remain under investigation and 59 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, as well as 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.
