Detecting European birth defects due to Zika virus

European surveillance systems in Europe can detect increases in microcephaly (babies born with an abnormally small head) due to the Zika virus of a similar magnitude to those observed in Brazil, according to research led by Queen Mary University of London (QMUL). Wednesday 14 September 2016 The smaller increases expected in Europe, however, would be unlikely to be detected, finds the study published in The BMJ . While Zika virus is an unlikely threat in much of Europe, the researchers call for clear diagnostic criteria for microcephaly to be adopted across Europe. Zika infection during the first trimester of pregnancy increases the risk of microcephaly. The emerging microcephaly epidemic across South America was confirmed by congenital anomaly registries - highlighting the importance of ongoing, accurate surveillance to evaluate the severity of any new epidemic. In Europe, congenital anomalies are monitored by a network of registers known as EUROCAT (the European Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies). Study lead, Professor Joan Morris from QMUL's Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, said: 'Europe has an excellent network for surveillance of congenital anomalies, and we have found that increases in microcephaly of a similar magnitude to that seen in Brazil due to the Zika Virus would be detected here.