Zika-related microcephaly cases rise in Brazil

The cases of microcephaly associated with the Zika virus across the country rose 16% in just a week. According to recent data released Tuesday by the Ministry of Health, up to Saturday (Dec. 19), 2,782 suspected cases cases and 40 deaths possibly associated with the virus were reported. Occurrences are distributed throughout 618 municipalities and 20 units of the federation.

Pernambuco is still the state with the highest number of cases—1,031—followed by Paraíba, with 429, and Bahia, with 271.

The Health Ministry stresses the need to step up the fight against the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits the dengue and chikungunya fevers, as well as the Zika virus, during the holiday season, a period with significant precipitation and travel in a number of states, according to Carlos Nardi, Sanitary Surveillance Secretary at the ministry.

The government further reports that 266 thousand health agents took part in the measures devised to fight the mosquito and eliminate  breeding sites. The goal is to visit all homes by January 31.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira