Baptist Health to host information session about Zika virus and pregnancy

Baptist Health South Florida will host an information session about the Zika virus Wednesday evening, aimed at pregnant women — or women thinking about becoming pregnant — and precautions they need to take.

The free event, Zika and Pregnancy: What You Need to Know, will include Dr. Jason James, gynecologist, Dr. Michael Jacobs, reproductive endocrinologist, and Barbara Russell, infection control expert. Space is limited, and registration is required.

Pregnant women are considered to be at greater risk from the virus after recent research established a link between an outbreak of Zika in Brazil and a concurrent spike in microcephaly, a birth defect in which a child is born with an abnormally small head and an underdeveloped brain.

Florida has 38 cases of Zika infections involving pregnant women, regardless of whether they showed symptoms, which include fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes lasting seven to 10 days. The statewide total as of Tuesday was 171 Zika cases, all of which were travel-associated, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Last week, Gov. Rick Scott issued a letter to President Obama calling for immediate federal action to help Florida officials fight the spread of the virus. Earlier this year, President Obama requested $1.9 billion in federal funds to combat Zika; Congress has held up his request.

ZIKA INFECTIONS IN FLORIDA AS OF JUNE 7

* Counties of pregnant women are not disclosed

Source: Florida Department of Health

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/health-care/article81186247.html#storylink=cpy

This story was originally published June 7, 2016 at 7:04 PM with the headline "Baptist Health to host information session about Zika virus and pregnancy."