Microcephaly has become a well talked about medical condition since the onset of the Zika virus in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has described microcephaly as a birth defect where a baby’s head is smaller than expected when compared to babies of the same gender and age. Microcephaly can occur because a baby’s brain has not developed properly during pregnancy or has stopped growing after birth, which results in a smaller than normal head.

Microcephaly can be caused by several factors including genetic and chromosomal abnormalities, oxygen deficiency to the brain, infections such as rubella or chickenpox during pregnancy, exposure to drugs, alcohol or other toxic chemicals and severe malnutrition. The disease is not new to Jamaica or the world and can occur as an isolated condition. The implications for affected children, family, community, the health sector and the economy are real and daunting. The reality is that children with microcephaly will, in most cases, need specialised care for life as underdevelopment of the brain will have significant effect on almost all other aspects of the body’s functioning.

Other possible challenges for children with the condition include being mentally retarded, having delayed motor function and speech, facial distortions, seizures and difficulty with coordination and balance. The emotional strain on these families will be difficult as the management of their children will be very challenging. Resources of families can be depleted as they tend to the needs of their children. These physical, emotional and financial challenges have led health professionals globally to ask women to delay pregnancy for the next six months to 1 year.

The assumption is that 10 per cent of pregnant women exposed to the Zika virus may have a child with microcephaly. As such, pregnant women have become a focus with several measures being put in place to minimise their risk of Zika infection and monitor them and their babies through to birth. Currently, all pregnant women presenting with at least one symptom of Zika virus infection are routinely tested for the Zika virus as part of our heightened surveillance. All pregnant women suspected of being infected with the Zika virus are referred to a high-risk antenatal clinic for close follow-up and all pregnant women attending public antenatal clinics receive mosquito nets. Counselling and psychosocial support are provided to pregnant women and their families who are affected by Zika and we will continue to make this service available to all those who may need it, regardless of their Zika status.

Public health nurses and midwives have been placed strategically at all the major high-risk clinics. The group is trained to follow and monitor pregnant women exposed to Zika. They, along with obstetricians, midwives and other staff at the high-risk and general antenatal clinics, have been trained to manage these pregnant women and their infants. The list of those suspected and confirmed to have Zika is passed to this team of nurses who can provide support to these women, ensuring the requisite monitoring is carried out throughout the pregnancy.

Additionally, pregnant women are being urged to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes by using mosquito repellants containing DEET; putting mesh covering on doors and windows; wearing light, long-sleeved clothing and assist with identifying and destroying mosquito breeding sites around the home, school, church and workplace.

Visit the nearest health centre or your physician if you start to experience any of the symptoms associated with Zika, and for more information on mosquito-borne diseases, please visit the Ministry of Health’s website at www.moh.gov.jm or call 1888-ONE LOVE.