Zika Virus May Cause Deadly Birth Defects: Officials

A little-known virus spreading from Brazil into Central America may be causing deadly birth defects, NBC News reported.

The Pan American Health Organization, a branch of the World Health Organization, has issued an alert about the Zika virus, which health officials believe may be linked to the birth defect microcephaly, a medical condition in which the brain stops growing or fails to develop properly, according to NBC News.

NBC News reported that the number of microcephaly cases has doubled this year in Brazil.

The Zika virus is carried by the same mosquitoes that carry dengue and yellow fever and can also cause fever and muscle aches.

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