UNB
Colombia is reporting the first probable case of Zika-related microcephaly in an aborted fetus as the country is on high alert for spread of the mosquito-borne virus.
Officials said Wednesday that traces of Zika were found in the amniotic fluid of a woman whose fetus appeared to have signs of microcephaly.
However they said the diagnosis could not be confirmed because the fetus was thrown away before more conclusive tests could be performed. Health authorities said Thursday they are investigating why guidelines were not followed.
The abortion was performed on an 18 year-old woman in the southeastern city of Popayan.
More than 6,000 pregnant women have been diagnosed with Zika in Colombia, but so far none has given birth to an infant with microcephaly as has occurred in Brazil.