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First Infant Born in Texaswith Zika-Linked Microcephaly

Concerns continue to grow in Texas about the spread of Zika, The state has now documented its first baby born with a disease linked to the virus. The infant with Zika-linked microcephly was born near Houston, reports USA TODAY.The mother had arrived in Texas from Latin America, where she presumably contracted the virus. Officials insist there is no risk to the public, as neither the mother nor the baby are infectious.

Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, says the U.S. can expect to see more babies born with Zika-related microcephaly.

The Centers for Disease Control reports that between one an 13 percent of pregnant women infected with Zika give birth to babies with microcephaly. But for every microcephalic baby, there could be 10 to 100 more born with subtle damage like growth restriction in the womb and vision problems.

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