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Registered Transmission Of The Virus

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Zika Virus May Lead to Decline in Roman Catholics The Zika virus has been spreading rapidly throughout Latin America in the past year, causing many health and religious controversies in these countries. The World Health Organization declared an international public health emergency and stated that at least 20 countries or territories have “registered transmission of the virus” (Partlow). Some of these governments, including Colombia and Jamaica, are urging women to avoid becoming pregnant for a few months because of the virus, whereas El Salvador asked its women to refrain until 2018 (Partlow). A majority of the regions hit by the Zika virus are Roman Catholic. This is causing controversies because even with the risks and effects of the virus, Catholic leaders are still discouraging women from using contraceptives or abortions (Goodstein). This rigid stance from the church may cause more division than progress. The virus is spreading through two different types of Aedes mosquitoes. Adults with the virus may only experience mild symptoms including pain, rash, or a slight fever (Partlow). The virus can often go unnoticed (Romero). The problems arise within the children born to women who have the virus. It is speculated that the Zika virus is causing infants to be born with microcephaly. This causes the child to be born with an abnormally small head and incomplete brain development. Brazil has been hit hardest with the virus and has seen over 4,000 cases of microcephaly

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