What is the biggest problem with zika?

Answer 1

The biggest problem with Zika is that Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly. Microcephaly is a condition where a baby's head is much smaller than expected. Babies with microcephaly can have a range of other problems, depending on how severe their microcephaly is. Microcephaly has been linked to:

• Seizures
• Developmental delay, such as problems with speech or other developmental milestones (like sitting, standing, and walking)
• Intellectual disability (decreased ability to learn and function in daily life)
• Problems with movement and balance
• Feeding problems, such as difficulty swallowing
• Hearing loss
• Vision problems

Note that people with Zika usually only have mild symptoms lasting for several days to a week after being bitten by an infected mosquito. People usually don't get sick enough to go to the hospital, and they very rarely die of Zika. For this reason, many people might not realize they have been infected and may transmit the virus to pregnant women without even knowing they have it.