More than 15,800 Zika virus infections have been reported in the West Indies and Guyana. In mainland France, 126 confirmed cases have been reported.
The Zika epidemic is far from over in the West Indies and Guyana. According to last epidemiological point published this Friday, the virus transmitted by the bite of the mosquito Aedes continues to spread in the French departments of America.
In Martinique, the most affected department, 12,600 people have consulted a general practitioner for suspected Zika fever since the start of the epidemic. The infection was confirmed in 75 pregnant women, 3 patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome and 3 patients with other serious neurological forms. The CIRE Antilles-Guyane also indicates that 5 cases of Guillain-Barré are under investigation.
In Guyana, one of the first French departments in America affected by Zika, 2,265 suggestive cases have been reported by health professionals. The virus has been found in 54 pregnant women, 24 more since last week. Two cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome have also been confirmed. A third case is being analyzed.
6 pregnant women infected in metropolitan France
On the Guadeloupe side, 805 people with symptoms of Zika (fever, rash, joint and muscle pain) saw a doctor. Among the 105 confirmed cases, 2 pregnant women and one case of myelitis have been identified.
In Saint-Martin, 144 suggestive cases have been reported. Among the 30 confirmed cases, a pregnant woman was infected.
In addition, the metropolis is far from being spared by the virus. Zika virus infection has been confirmed in 123 people returning from the epidemic area, including 6 pregnant women and 1 case of neurological complication.
To date, no case of microcephaly has been reported in the Antilles, Guyana or mainland France. However, the more the number of infected women increases, the more the risk of detecting this congenital defect increases as well. According to French work published on Wednesday, the risk of microcephaly is 1% when the infection occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy.
.