Brazil State Declares Zika Fever Emergency Amid Birth Defects

The Brazilian northeastern state of Pernambuco declared a state of emergency after announcing that a rising number of cases of Zika fever were causing a high number of birth defects, local media reported.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – On Saturday, the Brazilian Health Ministry confirmed a link between Zika fever, a mosquito-borne virus from Africa, and a recent rise of birth defects in the country.

Following the announcement, Pernambuco announced a state emergency on Sunday to bring the authorities’ attention to the urgency of the outbreak, the Brazilian Universo Online news portal said.

The virus has claimed the lives of two people in Brazil and caused over 700 cases of micro-encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain that affects the growth and development of the fetus.

A World Health Organization delegation is set to visit Brazil this week to further study the outbreak, the broadcaster added.