Association between Zika virus and microcephaly in French Polynesia, 2013-15: a retrospective study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The emergence of Zika virus in the Americas has coincided with increased reports of babies born with microcephaly. On Feb 1, 2016, WHO declared the suspected link between Zika virus and microcephaly to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. This association, however, has not been precisely quantified.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed data from a Zika virus outbreak in French Polynesia, which was the largest documented outbreak before that in the Americas. We used serological and surveillance data to estimate the probability of infection with Zika virus for each week of the epidemic and searched medical records to identify all cases of microcephaly from September, 2013, to July, 2015. Simple models were used to assess periods of risk in pregnancy

SUBMITTER: Cauchemez S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4909533 | biostudies-literature | 2016 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature