Debate Over the Link Between Zika Virus and Microcephaly in Infants

Some medical and public health experts believe that the World Health Organization's warnings regarding the Zika virus and its connection to the birth of infants with microcephaly were made without sufficient research. Some have gone further to declare that the Brazilian government, which has the highest number of Zika virus cases, is acting 'irresponsibly.' These experts argue that scientifically, the link between microcephaly and the Zika virus has not been proven. Zika is a dangerous disease said to be transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito, and while it does not lead to the death of the patient, it causes pregnant women to give birth to infants with small heads and brain complications, a condition known as microcephaly. According to the Associated Press, as the virus spreads in Central and South America, an international emergency has been declared in these countries. Dr. Alexandru Filo, an epidemiology professor at the University of São Paulo in Brazil, states that this is an 'international scandal.' Filo believes that Brazil has created unnecessary panic worldwide. Brazil recently published statistics showing that 583 cases of microcephaly have been recorded in the country, indicating an increase of eighty cases in just one week. The number of Zika cases in the country has also increased by over a hundred in just one week. Dr. Filo says, 'I am not saying that Zika causes microcephaly or does not cause it. What I am saying is that the Ministry of Health has not yet provided credible scientific evidence linking the two.' An article published by fourteen medical specialists points out that there are still many unanswered questions regarding the link between Zika and microcephaly, including why the number of microcephaly cases is so high only in Brazil and not in other countries that have also been affected by Zika. The article states that the connection between Zika and microcephaly is highly unscientific and that there are serious challenges in proving the link between the two. However, not only doctors and specialists but also some others believe that the unpopularity of the Brazilian government has led health officials to react unusually to this issue. Meanwhile, the Brazilian Minister of Health has stated that he is 'completely confident' that the cause of infants suffering from microcephaly is the Zika virus. Margaret Chan, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, who visited Brazil last week, also stated that microcephaly has various causes, but in the current situation in South American countries, the Zika virus is responsible for its occurrence.