Pregnant women face the risk of being infected with the Zika virus throughout the pregnancy period as it is associated with birth defects, according to an obstetrician.
Hospital Pusrawi Sdn Bhd obstetrician and gynecologist Dr Habibah Abd Ghani said ultrasound tests can be done when the age of the foetus is 18 weeks and above but it cannot verify whether it has been infected with the Zika virus or other illnesses.
She told Bernama that women who are confirmed in pregnancy are advised to constantly do a routine check each month to see the condition of the baby's development, especially the head circumference.
"Currently, our medical technology is unable to verify accurately that the infected mother will cause the baby to be born with a small head (microcephaly)," she said.
Dr Habibah said, it is hard to detect babies that have been infected with Zika virus although the mother is positive with Zika.
Thus, Dr Habibah urged pregnant women to get information from specialists on the risks of pregnancy and its aftermath on their life.
"According to the current legislation, abortion is permissible if the condition endangers the pregnant mother.
"But, in the case of Zika, it does not endanger the mother but in the long term it can influence the social life of the couple, the child's life and that of the future generation, if left unmonitored," she reminded.
Meanwhile, Islamic Medical Association of Malaysia (IMAM) deputy president Dr Jamali Wagiman suggested that the Health Ministry forms a Biomedical Ethics committee which will include specialists in obstetrics, contagious diseases, psychiatrists, bio ethics specialists and religious figures from recognised institutions.
He said with the presence of the committee, decisions that are safer and fairer can be made for the patient and the unborn child, avoiding conflict between medical practice and Islamic laws.
"As the risks and complications of the Zika virus are still at an early stage where information is still limited, the public is advised to not spread rumours or believe in alleged Zika treatment spread by irresponsible parties on the social media.
"Have faith in the Health Ministry as an authority responsible for the well-being of public health, and adhere to their recommendations for treatment of Zika patients," Dr Jamali advised. -- Bernama
Bernama
Fri Sep 30 2016
Pregnant women face the risk of being infected with the Zika virus throughout the pregnancy period as it is associated with birth defects. - AFP/Files
Nor Farah Ain tidak percaya bergelar juara dunia
Atlet boling pada negara Nor Farah Ain Abdullah masih tidak percaya sudah bergelar juara dunia pada penampilan sulungnya di Kejohanan Boling Padang Dalam Dewan Dunia 2024 di Guernsey, Channel Islands
Program Jana Wibawa dilaksana selepas dapat persetujuan Jemaah Menteri - Saksi
Mahkamah Sesyen di sini hari ini diberitahu bahawa cadangan mengenai Jana Wibawa telah dibawa ke mesyuarat untuk pertimbangan sebelum Jemaah Menteri memutuskan supaya program itu diteruskan pada 2020.
[TERKINI] Sidang Media Perdana Menteri di Riyadh, Arab Saudi
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim mengadakan sidang media susulan lawatan kerja rasmi ke Mesyuarat Khas WEF 2024 di Riyadh Arab Saudi.
SPR keluar 188 kertas undi pos bagi PRK Kuala Kubu Baharu
Pengeluaran kertas undi pos itu dilakukan oleh petugas pilihan raya yang dilantik Pegawai Pengurus dengan kehadiran ejen undi pos daripada semua empat calon yang bertanding.
KDN muktamad pembelian empat helikopter untuk APMM bernilai RM600 juta
Kertas kerja bagi perolehan aset itu sudah diserahkan kepada Kementerian Kewangan untuk keputusan akhir.
Video disalah sunting, Teo Nie Ching buat laporan polis
Teo berkata pilihan raya bukanlah tiket untuk mana-mana pihak menyebarkan fitnah dengan niat mencetuskan perbalahan antara masyarakat pelbagai kaum dan agama.
Tulis ancaman bom atas bungkusan, pekerja stor didenda RM3,000
Muhammad Rozali Rahim, 23, membuat pengakuan itu ketika pertuduhan terhadapnya dibacakan di hadapan Majistret Muhammad Bukhori Md Ruslan.
Kempen PRK KKB lancar setakat ini - Polis Selangor
Kempen PRK DUN KKB yang memasuki hari ketiga hari ini berjalan lancar dan tiada sebarang insiden tidak diingini dilaporkan setakat ini.
Buletin AWANI Khas: Asia Barat sedang ‘Stress’: Dialog menteri-menteri dunia Arab
Situasi meruncing di Gaza, konflik Iran-Israel dan ditambah pula persaingan kuat dua kuasa, Amerika Syarikat dan China dilihat terus membayangi percaturan geopolitik dan geoekonomi negara-negara Islam di Asia Barat. Beberapa Menteri Luar negara-negara Arab duduk sepentas di Mesyuarat Khas WEF, Riyadh dalam sesi ini.
#SpecialMeeting24
#SpecialMeeting24
AWANI Ringkas: Projek NTC | Sindiket Dadah
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.